Turks can engage in French politics says Senate hopeful

By Murat Unlu

PARIS (AA) - Turks should be more engaged in French politics, a Turkish candidate running in the country’s upcoming Senate election has told Anadolu Agency.

"We must be cultural, economic, social and political actors in our country, because we live in this country and our future is here, the future of our children is here," Les Republicains candidate Metin Yavuz, said.

After entering French politics in the country’s 2008 local elections, becoming the member of the local parliament for Paris's Ville de Crosne region, Yavuz is now running to become a member of the upper house of parliament for the Val-de-Marne department.

"Do not break your ties with Turkey, but give all kinds of support to France as well," Yavuz advised fellow Turkish expatriates.

Turks should accept that "France is our country now," he added.

If Yavuz is elected, he would be the first Turkish member of the Senate. However, he was nominated in sixth place in a list where the center-right Republicans are expected to gain four seats out of eight.

Yavuz was a former campaign manager for Alain Juppe -- a one-time French prime minister and Republican candidate for the 2017 presidential election, eventually won by Emmanuel Macron.

The Senate election will take place on Sept. 24 to renew 170 seats out of 348; only elected representatives such as lawmakers, senators and regional departmental councilors can vote.