Election presidentielle
In France, in order to be a candidate in a French election, you have to be a French citizen aged 18 years or over and need to collect at least 500 signatures (or parrainages ) from elected officials to back your campaign. The French word “ parrainage” means sponsorship or guardianship. The word derives from “ parrain” – godfather. The signatures can be collected from anyone elected to public office from village mayors to MPs, MEPs and Senators. However, the officials must come from: · At least 30 different French “ départements” (equivalent of counties in the UK) or overseas French territories · With no more than 50 signatures coming from one “ département” or overseas territory. This year, candidates have until March 4th to gain the signatures they need. French social media users have recently spotted many obscure politicians tweeting pictures of either a signed form or a letter being popped into the post-box – they are making a public declarat