What is the “foreign with a difference” strategy, which Pavel Durov was able to become French?

2024-09-01 19:29:37

A little known technique, from which many foreign people have benefited yet. Pavel Durov, the Russian CEO of Telegram has been charged after four days in police custody for several crimes connected to his messaging app and banned from leaving the country, benefits from a French passport thanks to called “special guest”, a shortcut. in the process of naturalization attributed to people who contributed to the “effect of France”.

Asked about this attribute while in Serbia, for a diplomatic trip, President Emmanuel Macron thought: “I did it for Mr. Durov who also took the trouble to learn French, as I did it for Evan Spiegel, American businessman (special boss of the Snapchat network), as I do for participants, athletes, and I think it is good for our country. This is very good. And I will continue to do so. “…

VideoPavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, is suspected of repeating the violence against his young son

Promotion of economic and international relations

Often, naturalization is a complex process, which requires the practice of the French language, knowledge of the history and culture of the country and at least five years of residence in the region. Obtaining a diploma, joining the army, or refugee status can however facilitate the granting of French nationality.

In 2022, Cameroonian basketball player Joel Embiid benefited from this process after a request from the President of the Republic. The player, who said he wanted to participate in the 2024 Paris Games with the French team, finally accepted the American national two months later … then chose to compete with the American team.

Several meetings with Macron in 2021

Three years ago, during the Top 14 final, Stade Toulouse rugby player Maks Van Dyk called on the President to accept the French nationality, arguing that “he is very proud to be in France”. “Banco, we launched the process,” Emmanuel Macron replied to South Africa. The sequence caused a reaction on the left, and the former Insoumise Raquel Garrido opposed “favors” and a form of “government”.

If the process is the right of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in fact, influential people and billionaires often turn to the President of the Republic to plead their case. As shown GlobalEmmanuel Macron gave several meetings to the founder of Telegram, before he became a French citizen in 2021.

Accused of failures in the work of the Telegram platform, Pavel Durov, the Franco-Russian manager of encrypted messaging, is also suspected of repeated violence against his young son. Released on Friday after four days in police custody, the 39-year-old billionaire is under heavy judicial supervision, provided with bail of five euros, visits to the police station twice a week and restricted from French territory. .