Consular councillors: What are they for?
French citizens abroad registered on consular electoral lists before 24 April 2026 will elect their local representatives at the end of May 2026.
What is the role of the CFEs?
The Councillors for French Citizens Abroad (CFE) are the elected local representatives of the French community. They serve a 6-year term and are the primary point of contact between the community and consular authorities.
What do they specifically do?
CFEs deal with the day-to-day concerns of French citizens and get specifically involved in:
- French education, and grants in particular
- social protection, community and volunteers-led organisations, including STAFE grants
- economic issues, employment, professional training,
- personal safety
A unique role
They act as intermediaries and facilitators between the french administration and the French residents in the United Kingdom, escalating specific issues encountered by French citizens in the UK. They are truly local elected officials. They know the local realities and work throughout their term, not just during elections.
They sit on the Consular Council, chaired by the Consul, where they advise on decisions that directly affect our community.
Their role is essential to ensure that the voice of French citizens in the UK is heard.
How are they elected?
CFEs are elected by direct universal suffrage for a 6-year term. Each constituency (in our case, the United Kingdom) elects its councillors. The elections take place at the same time as the consular delegate elections.
CFEs elect as well among themselves 90 representatives sitting at the Assemblée des Francais de l'Etranger (AFE). This assembly can be consulted by the French government, the Leader of the National Assembly or the of the Senate, regarding matters of interest to French citizens living abroad, such as education, economy, culture or social issues. This assembly can be consulted as well on bills about the funding and finances of the French social security.
Image Credit: Consulat Général de France à Londres