Nationalist gains in Corsica set to pose dilemma for Macron
AJACCIO, France: Nationalists on the French Mediterranean island of Corsica cemented gains in regional elections, underpinned by their demands for greater autonomy from Paris.
The outcome is widely expected to pose a new challenge to President Emmanuel Macron who will have to decide whether to cede some control or maintain France’s tradition of highly centralised government.
The governing Pe a Corsica (For Corsica) alliance – made up of the pro-autonomy Femu a Corsica (Let’s Make Corsica) and pro-independence Corsica Libera (Free Corsica) – won 45 per cent in a first round of voting a week ago and cemented that showing with 56.5 per cent – albeit turnout was low at 52.6 per cent.
The win will give Pe a Corsica a comfortable majority in the island’s assembly which will start work early next year.
The nationalists will also take the 11 seats up for grabs on the governing executive council, which carries out the equivalent functions of regional council presidents in mainland France.
“Paris today has to take stock of what is happening in Corsica,” Pe a Corsica’s leading candidate, Gilles Simeoni, said after the results came through.
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said he had sent ‘republican congratulations’ to the winners, adding he was willing to meet them once the island’s assembly is up and running.
In response Simeoni told reporters “Beyond the formal politeness, we expect and hope for a genuine dialogue,” with the French state.
The leaders of Pe a Corsica have stressed throughout that their short-term goal is greater autonomy, rather than independence – not least because the mountainous island is dependent on state spending. — AFP