The American president, Donald Trumpcritical the granting of French nationality to the American actor George Clooneyafter the measure generated mixed opinions in the government of the European country.
Trump ironically said that the French nationalization of Clooney, his wife and twin children is «good news.»
«Good news! George and Amal Clooney, two of the worst political forecasters of all timehave officially become citizens of France,» Trump said of the actor, who supports Democrats and is a harsh critic of the Republican president.
The issue generated debate in the French government, where the delegate minister of the Interior, Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, considered that «it is not the correct message that is being transmitted,» she added.
He cited a «question of fairness,» at a time when language tests are going to be considerably tougher for foreigners who want to be French.
The 64-year-old actor himself admitted at the beginning of December on the RTL radio station that he was still «just as bad» at French despite «400 days of classes.»
George Clooney and Amal at the Cannes International Film Festival. Photo: Reuters.On the contrary, the titular Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nuñez, later distanced himself from the opinion of his delegate minister, ensuring that there were no «double standards» and that it was a «decision of the public authority.»
The actor, his wife Amal Alamuddin Clooney and their eight-year-old twins They obtained French nationality through a naturalization decree published on Saturday in the Official Gazette and consulted on Monday by the AFP.
The situation of George Clooney and his wife Amal Alamuddin Clooney «meets the conditions established by law» for naturalization, declared the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Clooneys «prove permanent residence in France» and «contribute through their outstanding work to the international influence and cultural prestige of France,» the ministry detailed.
The French Foreign Ministry highlighted George Clooney’s «leadership» in the film industry on a global scale, and stated that Amal Alamuddin Clooney, a «renowned lawyer,» «regularly collaborates with university institutions and international organizations based in France.»
The couple acquired a Provençal country house in 2021 and a vineyard in Brignoles, in southeastern France.
Although the Clooney family does not spend all their time there, this estate is «the happiest place for us,» the actor, winner of the Oscar for «Syriana» (2005), told RTL.
Fuente AFP
