French President Emmanuel Macron has responded to calls for greater independence for the Mediterranean island of Corsica.
“Let us have the courage to create autonomy for Corsica in the Republic,” Macron said before the island’s parliament in Ajaccio on Thursday. He emphasized that this is not about autonomy ‘against the state, nor without the state’.
An agreement on the progress of the project must be reached within six months. Macron sees his proposal as a fundamental change in the relationship between Corsica and the French state.
Separatists on the rise
The relationship between Corsica and the government in Paris has long been considered difficult. For decades, Corsican separatists fought for greater independence, often with violence. The underground organization FLNC laid down its arms in 2014. At about the same time, moderate nationalists gained political importance. They now have a majority in the regional parliament and are demanding autonomous status.
Eighteen months ago, tensions were clearly visible again. Corsican nationalist Yvan Colonna, imprisoned for the murder of a French prefect, died after an attack in a French prison. Protests broke out in Corsica, some of which were violent. The government has been investigating a new relationship with representatives of the island for months.
Macron also said he was in favor of enshrining the specificities of the island’s population in the French constitution, as Corsican nationalists had demanded. There should be a separate article about this.
In addition, local forces should be given more authority to adjust standards. The Corsican language also needs to be better taught. The institutional changes were intended to allow Corsica to maintain its soul and identity within the framework of the Republic.
The fire brigade reported a fire in the northern Corsican town of Pigna late on Tuesday evening. Strong winds fan the flames. According to reports in the French media, there were initially two fires not far apart, which later developed into one fire.
The president of the Corsican Executive Council, Gilles Simeoni, wrote on Twitter that the two fires were caused by arson.
(dsc/sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
