Huge relief around the world and especially for Goans living in the European Union after Emmanuel Macron resoundingly defeated Marine Le Pen in the French presidential election on May 7.
Le Pen’s victory would have heralded the beginning of the end for the European Union (EU), and its hard-won complex of political and economic treaties.
Fortunately for the teeming hordes of Goans in Swindon and London, there’s little chance they will be expelled from their adopted country, despite the shocking Brexit referendum.
There will certainly be a painful negotiation over the issue, but it’s certain the UK will concede permanent residence (and possibly fast-track citizenship) to EU passport holders already in the country. In the future, Goans with Portuguese passports might have to head to other countries. But that’s not a big loss to them, and definitely a gain to whichever new home they adopt.
That’s because hard-working, resourceful and fantastically adaptable Goan migrants always make good. They have done very well in the Gulf countries. They have succeeded in all the countries of the West. Despite infinitesimally small numbers – less than a drop in the bucket – there are three Goan members of parliament in the UK, and another Goan is prime minister of Portugal. Perhaps even more incredible is the fact that the 2016 Sprakprisen prize for excellence in the Norwegian language was awarded to Ivo de Figueiredo, for a book about his Goan family’s journey to Scandinavia.
Parents and relatives back home rest assured that your loved ones in the EU can stay put at least for now!
Information credit: ToI
Pic credit:india.com
