A campaign for free software has recently garnered the support of 267 candidates running for France's National Assembly Elections on 10 and 17 June 2012.

Most supporters (149 signatures) are Europe Ecology -The Greens (Europe Écologie–Les Verts, in French) candidates, followed by the Pirate Party, 54 members of which have signed the 'Free Software Pact'.

“By signing the Pact, candidates show voters they are aware of the advantages of free and open source software”, explains the campaign organiser, April, a French association promoting free software and open standards. “It also signals that they are committed to promoting and defending the freedoms associated with this type of software”, it adds.

The organisers go on to say that using free software has ethical, economic, strategic and societal benefits. It allows, for example, the sharing of economic knowledge and fosters competition.  It, moreover, helps create a service industry, new jobs, increases technological independence and sovereignty and reduces public debt.

April has been organising similar support campaigns around many elections with the first campaign taking place in 2007. On their campaign site, April, has published an open call for volunteers to help contact all the candidates for the upcoming elections.

Further Information:

• Original news article - Joinup
• Free Software Pact Campaign Site
• April (in French)