France defends George and Amal Clooney citizenship amid claims of special treatment

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/george-amal-clooney-france-citizenship-b2893033.html

by tylerthe-theatre

27 comments

  4. >Officials said that the couple were naturalised because “they contribute, through their distinguished actions, to France’s international influence and cultural outreach”.

    So how much money did they donate for cultural outreach?

  5. I mean to see rich people be rich from country to country, and being handed citizenship is annoying, but if French people don’t have a problem with it, why would anyone else.

    I hope they really did contribute in something meaningful in France though.

  6. The french dole out citizenship to others for good acts, so why not in this case?

  7. Who gives a shit, seriously? It’s obvious countries will give preferential treatment to those who come with money. And I’m glad that’s the case. Those people will spend their money there, help local businesses, and they will not become a burden on the social security system. It’s a net gain for everyone.

  8. Honestly, preferential treatment always sucks but I still think this case is relatively minor compared to Peter Thiel’s New Zealand citizenship or Roman Abramovich’s Portuguese citizenship.

  9. France has one of the most lienent and relatively easy path to citizenship in Europe. If you have another EU passport, 2 years of residency is all you need to get French citizenship, for example.

  12. A top grade US celebrity moving to europe has massive symbolic character. I hope more leave the shithole on the other side of the atlantic.

  13. As a french i can’t wait to riot with him and Amal !

  14. First of all, there is nothing to defend, a country has the prerogative of handing out citizenships just because they feel like it. But the only thing preferential here is a couple of an international lawyer & an A list celebrity with lots of knowledge and recourses. Even if you have one of those you cannot get lost in bureaucracy or delayed.

  15. They have given French citizenship to many worse individuals than these two.

  16. Everyone is so outraged about it, but if you go to the French website for acquiring citizenship the methods are very well established, including the expedited and preferential treatments. The Clooneys are wealthy people who probably give to the country in money and image (especially Amal) so it is no surprise to me that they qualify for citizenship by grace, for example.

    Some years ago an immigrant climbed a windows to save some kids from a fire and Macron granted him citizenship because of this action, and I didn’t see anyone complaining. The French system values a lot that you adhere and promote French values, so if the Clooneys fit this pattern I don’t see why they shouldn’t be awarded, even more if they have been in France for so many years. Most of the French are OK with the decision, I wonder why people from other countries that have nothing to do with it are not.

  17. As a Frenchman I think it’s so stupid that something which could have been seen as a positive “win” for France (the guy could probably have chosen any other country) has been somehow turned into something negative. Some people are already calling for his French citizenship to be revoked… I’m sure the same people would also throw a fit if he renounced this citizenship.

  18. Bro amal Clooney is literally one of the greatest human rights lawyer and one of the leading people bringing the case against Israel.

    Her contribution to justic should allow her access to literally everything.

  19. They’ll get half his estate if/when he and his wife pass away. France is playing a long game.

  20. There is so much hypocrisy from everyone.

    Yes if you are rich and famous most countries will ease the citizenship process. At another level just having the resources to pay a good immigration lawyer will help a lot. That s how things works in every country.

    There is no need to deny special treatment and there is no need to feel offended/surprised neither.

  21. Welcome to shit rich people can do pretty much everywhere that the rest of us can’t. The world works differently for people with money and it sucks but it’s the way of the world.

  22. I’m not French, so I have no beef in this race, but considering how many terrible people buy their way into EU citizenships, this feels very benign as far as the rich getting preferential treatment goes. It is understandable, though, if people who have been struggling to get naturalized are annoyed.

  23. Funny how he still claims to be a loyal American too. Special treatment did in fact take place in this case, thousands of people have been legally living and working in France for a lot longer than he has and are nowhere near to getting citizenship yet. Being a rich (and famous) person really does make a difference, its time for him to admit that.

  24. doesn’t thousand of people get french citizenship every year?

  25. Woman who wrote the constitution for the muslim brotherhood getting French citizenship is about the most Europe thing possible

  26. What economic stimulation will this give France? How many new jobs will be created in France as a result? Zero and nil. I also doubt they’ll stay in France enough days to pay taxes to the French state. Of course it was special treatment due to George being a celebrity; there is absolutely no benefit to France in any of this. At least with Pavel Durov, I feel like France expected some economic benefit (but fun fact: none).

  27. Look, I like them a lot but it is true they had a pass. Some people who are much more advanced in their seeking of citizenship still cannot get it. They can’t even speak french at the level required yet… I understand the fury.

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