This is a key priority for the CCP in France, as there are “schools that do not provide the necessary documents or create bureaucratic obstacles,” which “harms Portuguese and Portuguese-descendant children,” a statement revealed.
In this regard, the council advocates for “a review of bilateral agreements and clearer intervention by Portuguese authorities” to ensure “French schools comply with obligations and that Portuguese language education is truly accessible.”
Paulo Marques spoke to Lusa at the conclusion of the plenary meeting of Portugal’s Communities Council in France, which took place over the weekend and included the presence of Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities, Emídio Sousa.
Re-elected as president of CCP France, Paulo Marques mentioned that they analyzed the Regressar program, which aims to financially and administratively support citizens living abroad who wish to return to Portugal and is set to conclude in its current form in 2026.
According to Paulo Marques, it is crucial to create a “specific program for children of Portuguese people born in France” who decide to “settle in Portugal.”
Despite geographical proximity, the president of CCP France stated that “families face significant difficulties when trying to return or settle for the first time in the parents’ country of origin.”
Therefore, it is essential to adopt “concrete measures to make this return simpler, fair, and appealing,” he argued.
During the CCP France plenary session, topics such as voting in the Portuguese presidential elections, scheduled for January 18, 2026, were addressed, since after registering on the electoral roll, Portuguese residents abroad must go to consulates or the Embassy of Portugal to vote.
The conclusions from this weekend’s meeting in Paris will be presented in Lisbon at the European Regional Council, which will be held in the first half of 2026.
