In Shanghai, it is forbidden to cross your doorstep, even to go and vote.
The authorities have since Monday introduced the confinement of the 25 million inhabitants to fight against the epidemic resumption of Covid-19.
The approximately 4,800 French people registered on the lists will therefore not be able to go to the polling station for the first round of the presidential election this Sunday, April 10.
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The French embassy in China communicated the news on the Chinese messaging WeChat, explaining that "
repeated approaches
" had been made to the authorities to allow the French to vote, in vain.
The latter justify their inflexibility by “ the
serious and complicated
(health) situation
”.
A “
regrettable
” decision but which does not surprise Nicolas and Emilie, expatriates in Shanghai contacted by
Le Figaro.
Such a rapid end to confinement would have been illusory, and “
if we had been authorized to go to the polling station, it would have been considered a privilege for the French
”, believes Nicolas.
This would place the Chinese authorities in a position “
problematic
”.
Both are saddened not to participate in what they consider to be the “
supreme election in France
”.
A widespread feeling in the expatriate community.
Guillaume Mallet, representative of the French abroad in Shanghai, believes that most are "
very disappointed
".
He himself admits his pain: "
Coming to vote, for me, is like a ritual, a moment that allows me to get closer to my country
".
He imagines that this situation could have been avoided, that in times of pandemic such a scenario could have been "
planned and thought out
".
In Shanghai, it is neither possible to go there to vote, nor to make a power of attorney since the vote must still take place in the planned prefecture.
Second round uncertain
No statement has yet been made regarding the second round of presidential elections.
In its press release, the embassy indicates that “
the evolution of local health standards will be followed carefully
” and a consultation with the elected representatives of French people living abroad in China will be organized in the coming days.
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Like Shanghai, other regions of the country are subject to more or less strict quarantine measures, but the ballot will take place in five of the seven planned cities.
In Shenyang, a constituency in the Northeast also confined, “
the polling station will open as planned but local traffic restrictions will apply
,” said the embassy.