By Hadi Yahmid PARIS – French of immigrant background are running in large numbers in the country’s cut-throat legislative race, hoping to be represented in the 577-member legislature to have their voices heard. “Candidates of immigrant background are highly tipped as possible lawmakers in an unprecedented way in French history,” candidate Malika Ahmed told IslamOnline.net on Saturday, June 2. “It is high time for French of immigrant background to have strong representation in parliament.” Ahmed is running as an independent for the June 10-17 election in the constituency of Seine Saint Denis, north of Paris. She ran for parliament for the first time in 2002. “This is the second time to run for the seat,” she said. She is one of many immigrant candidates running this year for the polls.
