don’t panic folk… he is entitled to Residency… 
It’s France’s decision to make. He can stay without problem it seems, so it’s not like he’s being kicked out.
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I was interested to read the article, since I was told… and reported here on the forum… that there would be flexibility re Finance for those applying for a CdS… but NO flexibility re Finance for those applying for Nationality/citizenship.
I rather wish the words could be clearer. Residency (means what it says)… and Nationality (rather than citizenship) would be easier as the watchwords, since I know several Brits who confuse them and think Citizenship is the same as Residency due to the Maire speaking of “les citizens de notre commune” when wishing everyone a Happy New Year.
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Having been turned down for a car loan here a few years back because the bank didn’t think we earned enough to support our four kids I’d just say this, rules are rules. If the authorities bend their rules for this guy then they’ll have to do it for everyone.
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It’s surprising for sure but at least the Prefecture have given an honest assessment of their reasons which is more than the Windrush generation got from HMG.
As @tim17 says, rules is rules and whilst Britannia often waves the rules, the Republique Française deals with people on a more even handed basis.
This all goes to prove nationality is not a given. I remember last year, an applicant for citizenship had got to the final stage and was at the ceremony but for some reason refused to shake the fontionaire’s hand so the offer was withdrawn at the final moment…
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We don’t know the figures/earnings in question so can’t really comment. This isn’t the first case I’ve heard about and I don’t think it’ll be the last. He won’t have to leave though, just jump through the carte de séjour hoops so not so dramatic/drastic.
Yes, we should talk about nationality and residency as I think many mix up citezenship and residency, nationality is very different and you ask for it, it’s not a right (in most cases but not all). I think people better realise the difference in countries where you have to renounce your birth nationality for your new one, as in Spain for example.
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To be honest it makes me really angry. Entitlement taken to extremes. And it makes me hope France stands firm. Which makes me sound mean I know, but it’s how I feel.
Why should France grant him citizenship? What has he done for France to desrrve the privilege, apart from deign to live here and scrape a living? Or, does he not think citizenship is a great privilege and if not, why does he want it so badly?
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On reflection of this chap… and the petition…
I would far rather a Petition be raised … asking for us to be allowed to keep our current voting/election rights here in France. 
but not really much chance of success… rules are rules.
One interesting “response” to the newpaper article:
“Il existe des règlements pour acquérir la nationalité, qui elle même permet d’avoir des droits et particulier des avantages sociaux. Chacun sait que la France est un pays qui attire celles et ceux qui recherchent un système social performant. Donc ce Monsieur doit avant tout remplir les conditions pour acquérir la nationalité…”
(There are regulations for acquiring nationality, which itself allows you to have rights and particular social benefits. Everyone knows that France is a country that attracts those who are looking for an efficient social system. So this gentleman must above all meet the conditions to acquire nationality … )
Another Response points out that he can stay, anyway… so why apply for Nationality when he must have known he did not meet all the requirements…
I am left wondering what reaction there will be if this guy is given preferential treatment… might this cause bad-feeling towards him and possibly other Brits ???
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I’m uncomfortable with any discrimination based on wealth or income.
Of course I understand - and sympathise with - a country’s right not to allow people to come or stay to take advantage of its welfare state, but surely this should apply more to residency than citizenship, not the other way round?
Making exceptions to residency/citizenship laws is indeed a dangerous path - though in fact France has done it before - but whether the laws are right is another matter.
Perhaps the fact that somebody has been in a country for 27 years, paying taxes, has their family there, has the support of their local community, etc, ought to mitigate the wealth/income requirements?
Had he climbed a 3-storey building to save a child from falling, or engaged in some other heroic act of selflessness, or been able to prove that he spread the values and good repute of the Republique internationally beyond France’s borders, then he would have no doubt fallen into the exceptions category and not had to worry about his revenue stream…
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for the latter one, think rock star, actor, high-flying entrepreneur…all of those exceptions that go to prove the rule…it is easier if you are rich, famous, and preferably, but not exclusively, both.
I hope you’re not suggesting that socialist, ‘everyone’s equal’ France favours the rich and famous over the common man Alex. 
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Who me ?
I suspect that many Rich and Famous will be able to meet the various/involved criteria… just like many other folk…
According to the article he is on the town council and involved in social projects locally and even if only just making a living he has been doing it (and bringing up a family) for 27 years.
I know “rules are rules” but this decision seems a bit harsh on the face of it.
That said, as pointed out above, he has not been “chucked out” and can reapply in 2 years. Hopefully he will not be rejected at that point for lacking integration (presumably he will have to stand down from the town council after 31.1.2020).
Paul… it seems to be his lack of “sufficient and stable resources”… rather than any lack of integration…
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“Egalité” is a word bandied around a lot in French society, as one of the pillars of the République. The fact of the matter is that France is no more or less equal in many respects than lots of other countries, as the interprétation of “égalité” towards whom, where, what, why and how is dependent on many other factors, often seemingly arbitrary. If one considers only “égalité de traitement” in the processing of naturalisation applications, how does one equate a penniless refugee that saves a child from falling from a building by climbing up to rescue it, or a guy working in a “superette” that saves others from a terrorist gunman, with a tradesman with an income who has been a representative of and serving his local community for many years ? Clearly, there can be “deux poids de mesures”, ergo, no “égalité de traitement” in this sense. In other words, “égalité” doesn’t mean what it says on the tin.
“sufficient and stable resources” may well become an issue for many applying. How many have for years declared a low income (for tax purposes) , now needing to declare the expected minimum or higher ?
Sweaty palm time I imagine.
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I am a bit puzzled though - is there a difference between the income needed for a CdS and and for citizenship?