Corinne Pereira, a long-time diplomat, was appointed head of the French Consulate in Munich in September 2021. We interviewed him about six months later, an opportunity to make the first contribution to his project in Munich.
The Consul General of France in Munich presents his adventure and takes stock of the scenario of the French network in Bavaria during the election period. Corinne Pereira also presents the central projects of Franco-German friendship.
What was your career in international relations that led you to be appointed Consul General of France in Munich in September 2021?
I joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in December 2000. In the central administration of the Ministry, I was Head of the Franco-German Mission in the Directorate of the European Union (2007-2010), Deputy Director of the French Administration (2018-2019) and then Head of the Service for French Nationals Abroad (2019-2021) in the Directorate of French Nationals Abroad and Consular Administration.
Abroad, I was an exchange diplomat (2003-2004) at the Auswärtiges Amt in Berlin and then Head of Chancery at the Consulate General of France in Munich (2004-2007). From 2013 to 2017, I was Political Advisor and Spokesperson at the French Embassy in Prague. Before that, I worked for 3 years in San Francisco as Deputy Consul General.
What were the difficult situations for your consulate related to the fitness crisis?
Since I was appointed to the Consulate General of France in Munich in September 2021, I did not have to deal with the demanding situations of the first waves. However, several occasions had to be cancelled and we hope that they will be able to take up their position in the spring. Meetings and some meetings were held by videoconference and seminars. We also had to implement, like all other actors that welcome the public, social distancing measures. The continuity of the public service has been guaranteed, and that is the important thing.
I’m positive and I think the hardest component is us. Soon we will be able to return to so-called “normal” life.
What steps do French people living in Munich want to take to vote in the 2022 presidential elections?
French citizens living in Munich must check whether they are registered on a consular electoral list on the service-public. fr website. If you are already registered, you can update your contact information on the same site. Otherwise, they will have until March 4, 2022 (April 29, 2022 for legislative elections) to register (under the heading “How to register for the first time”).
It is also quite conceivable to identify a voting power: for example, in a gendarmerie or a police station in France, or in an embassy or consulate abroad. In Bavaria, voting powers can be issued at the Consulate General of France in Munich, at the Honorary Consul in Augsburg/Ulm or in the case of a consular visit.
How many French people are currently in the consulate in Munich?
Environ 40.000 Français sont rattachés au Consulat général de France à Munich, dont plus de la moitié vivant en Bavière et l’autre moitié dans le Bade-Wurtemberg (le Consulat est également en charge de l’administration des Français établis dans ce land).
What are the characteristics of French people living in Munich?
The French network in Munich is very well integrated and present in all sectors of activity. These French players have been established for many years. The strong dynamism of the Bavarian economy continues to attract a large number of our compatriots, with very different profiles. to Munich.
Nous avons également la chance d’avoir à Munich et en Bavière des structures très actives : le Lycée français Jean Renoir, l’Institut français de Munich et un réseau associatif extrêmement vivant.
What moves are you taking in relation to the French presidency of the European Union?
Nous organisons différents événements afin de faire connaître les priorités de la présidence française du Conseil de l’Union européenne (PFUE) et d’écouter ce que nos partenaires bavarois attendent de nous. J’ai ainsi eu des entretiens avec des membres du gouvernement bavarois, avec le président de la commission des affaires européennes du Landtag, avec des acteurs économiques. Je suis également intervenue devant des étudiants (universités de Regensburg, Würzburg, Eichstätt) ou dans le cadre de débats organisés par des think tank. Nous organiserons en mai une conférence sur la souveraineté numérique européenne et participerons le 8 mai à Europa-Mai, événement populaire organisé par la ville de Munich, à l’occasion de la journée de l’Europe.
Il y a quelques jours se tenait le 54ème séminaire franco-allemand de Fischbachau. Qu’en ressort-il ?
The Franco-German seminar in Fischbachau is an important occasion for Franco-German cooperation and friendship. Each year, this seminar allows senior Bavarian officials and magistrates to participate in a series of meetings and exchanges, exclusively in French, on current issues and thus gives a French view on the issues.
This year, the Bavarian officials spoke with the invited personalities about topics that are at the heart of current affairs: the difficult situations of the French presidency of the European Union, problems such as the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the mobility of young people. in the post-pandemic context.