In addition to Paris, where the largest number of Serbian nationals in France live and work, a numerous Serbian community is also present in the south of the country, especially in cities such as Nice, Cannes and Marseille, or in the wider area of the Aix-Marseille metropolis. Many Serbs born in France are also actively involved in political life of this friendly country. In the upcoming local elections scheduled in March, representatives of the Serbian community will also feature on the lists of candidates for various municipal functions.

One of the recognizable names among the members and supporters of the Rassemblement National party is Sonja Marković. She is politically active within the RN, where she serves as a responsible for the 5th constituency of the Seine-Saint-Denis department, and is also a candidate on the list for the 12th arrondissement of Paris. Her campaign is focused on local issues – security, quality of life and greater citizen involvement, but also on stronger connections between the Serbian and Balkan communities and institutions. Her goal is clear: a safer, better developed and more pleasant Paris 12, a district where people feel safe and respected.

Marjan Kozić is among the candidates for government in Bobigny, a city where a large number of Serbs live and work. As a candidate on the list for the municipal elections in this Parisian suburb, he says. – As a citizen of Bobigny, I wanted our city to be cleaner, safer and better developed. It is with this desire that I joined Jimmy Mesquita and his team to participate in the local elections – he says.

The DrancyAllTogether list of the Drancy municipality also features Marina Nikodijević, an Air France hostess for more than 20 years. She is deeply involved in the Franco-Serbian community and active in the twinning program with Svilajnac. She advocates for strengthening community cohesion, improving education and healthcare, especially for children with disabilities. She is also strongly engaged in issues of safety, cleanliness of the city and more efficient parking management.

The extent to which Serbs and the Serbian community are respected in France is also demonstrated by the fact that on the occasion of the Statehood Day of the Republic of Serbia, the President of the Bouches-du-Rhône department and the President of the Aix-Marseille-Provence Métropole, Martine Vassal, received a group of representatives of the Serbian community in her office with the flags of France and Serbia, to wish them a happy holiday and once again confirm her commitment to Franco-Serbian friendship. The reception was attended by representatives of local Serbs who have integrated successfully into French society and contribute to the affirmation of the community with their work. Among them were those who work on student exchange at the Aix-Marseille Université, participating in the admission of students from Serbia, as well as entrepreneurs who have developed successful private companies in various fields.

Source: VESTI online

Photo: Private archive