The French National Assembly on Tuesday approved Corsica's request for greater autonomy.
In the first reading, 271 members of the lower house of parliament backed a corresponding constitutional reform, with 202 votes against and 64 abstentions.
However, before the popular Mediterranean holiday island can actually gain more freedom from Paris, several hurdles must be overcome.
First, the Senate, the upper house of parliament, must adopt the reform text verbatim. The conservatives, who hold the majority in the Senate, are critical of the demand for Corsican politicians to have greater influence over the legislative process.
Three-fifths of the parliamentarians must then approve the constitutional amendment. The Corsican population will also have to vote on the proposal.
Macron promises autonomy within the state
The relationship between Corsica and the government in Paris has long been strained. For decades, Corsican separatists fought for greater autonomy, often resorting to violence.
The underground National Liberation Front of Corsica (FLNC) temporarily laid down its arms in 2014, while moderate nationalists gained political influence at around the same time. They now hold a majority in the regional parliament and are demanding autonomous status.
Four years ago, tensions resurfaced during violent protests on the island. In 2023, President Emmanuel Macron then promised autonomy to Corsica, which has around 350,000 inhabitants.
France is a centralized state governed from Paris, while its regions and municipalities have only limited powers. The possibility of Corsica being granted a degree of autonomy is therefore unusual.
Specifically, the reform proposal aims to allow Corsican politicians to adapt laws enacted in Paris. The island should also be able to establish its own regulations and legal standards, but a separate law for this is to follow later.
Additionally, a historical, cultural and linguistic island community with a special connection to its homeland is to be recognized. Whether this will lead to concrete advantages for Corsicans on the island, as hoped by Corsican politicians, remains unclear.
