Changing one's name in order to assimilate
9.4.2019
Question for written answer E-001720-19
to the Commission
Rule 130
Dominique Martin (ENF)
According to a European Parliament study, only 5% of migrants who arrived in Germany in 2015 work full-time[1]. Moreover, studies have shown that it is more difficult to find a job for people with a foreign name[2]. Today, Mohammed is the most popular name in Brussels across all ages[3].
Even Manuel Valls, the former French Prime Minister who is close to President Macron, says that his Catalan name has made it easier for him to run for mayor of Barcelona in 2019: ‘You know, I can understand those who a few months ago were saying: “But what is he doing here (…)?” These were reasonable questions. Today, there are very few people calling me an “intruder” or “foreigner” and saying “fuera” (get out) (…) because my surname is Valls, which is a very Catalan name (…)’[4].
Does the Commission believe that Member States should encourage citizens of non-EU origin to choose an authentically European name for themselves and their children, in order to facilitate their integration into the workplace and demonstrate their commitment to a European culture[5]?
- [1] Integration of refugees in Austria, Germany and Sweden: Comparative analysis, report by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS). Published January 2018, p.22.
- [2] https://www.forbes.com/sites/ruchikatulshyan/2014/06/13/have-a-foreign-sounding-name-change-it-to-get-a-job/#66a85bde5316
- [3] http://opendata.brussels.be/explore/dataset/bxl_prenoms_masculins_2013/OpenData Brussels, 2015
- [4] Européens, January-March 2019, p. 135, edited by Alexandre Kouchner.
- [5] https://www.lepoint.fr/societe/pourquoi-ressemblons-nous-a-notre-prenom-17-03-2017-2112657_23.php