Post date: Jan 03, 2013 12:53:11 PM
News that French movie star Gerard Depardieu has been granted Russian citizenship is met with shock on the streets of Paris.
PARIS, FRANCE (JANUARY 3, 2013) (REUTERS) - Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to grant citizenship to French actor Gerard Depardieu was met with shock on the streets of Paris on Thursday (January 3).
The movie star left his homeland to avoid a tax hike on the rich, the Kremlin said.In the French capital, the news caused surprise among some people.
"I find it quite shocking. I don't know why Gerard Depardieu could turn Russian overnight. He's French," said Rodolphe, a passer-by.
Depardieu's decision to move was accepted with resignation by others.
"He could have stayed French to help us pay our taxes a little, but what can you do?" said one man.
Some understood his decision and one Russian passer-by welcomed the new arrival to his homeland.
France's Constitutional Council last month blocked the planned 75 percent tax rate on income over 1 million euros ($1.32 million), though French President Francois Hollande has said he plans to propose a new version which will maintain the spirit of the supertax.
The Kremlin's website said on Thursday that Putin had signed a decree granting Depardieu citizenship. The wording of the statement suggested the 63-year-old actor had applied for it. An assistant to Depardieu declined to comment.