Corsica | A fire to put out

The volcano seems to have calmed down in Corsica. But what a sequence… For two weeks, the “Island of Beauty” was ablaze with demonstrations that turned into a riot. The reason for the anger? The aggression, in France, of the most famous Corsican prisoner. To put out the fire, the French Minister of the Interior brought out the promise of increased autonomy for the community, where nationalist sentiment remains very strong. But experts have doubts. Explanations.

Jean-Christophe Laurence
The Press

What happened ?

Since the beginning of March, clashes have multiplied all over the island between demonstrators and the police. Result: 93 injured, two thirds of them among the police, and a lot of material damage, in particular in the fire at the courthouse in Ajaccio. Note: these riots particularly involved young people, even very young Corsicans, from secondary schools and universities.

Why this anger?

It all starts with the attempted murder of Yvan Colonna. This Corsican nationalist, sentenced to life for the assassination of the prefect Claude Érignac in 1998, was attacked on March 2 by a fellow prisoner in Arles prison and has since been between life and death. He had been asking for several years to be transferred to Corsica, close to his family, but his requests were systematically refused because of his status as a “particularly guarded detainee”. For this reason, many Corsicans believe that this tragedy could have been avoided. “This attack is an attack on a symbol which has awakened a very strong feeling of injustice”, summarizes Hélène Constanty, co-author of the graphic novel. A history of Corsican nationalism. “Yvan Colonna is a figure with a certain aura. He was somehow heroized, idealized. He became the figure of the martyr of the nationalist cause. Especially since many people think that he is not guilty of this assassination…”

But then, are we demonstrating for Colonna or for the independence of Corsica?

The two are linked, because Yvan Colonna embodies the fight for independence. Attacking him is a bit like attacking the Corsican nationalist cause. This aroused demands for independence or greater autonomy, which have still not been met. In addition to resenting France, the demonstrators resent the island’s nationalist elected officials who have not obtained the desired institutional progress. The Corsican nationalist movement has indeed become politicized, after 40 years of armed struggle (1975-2014). The coalition led by Gilles Simeoni raised many hopes by winning the territorial elections of 2015, 2017 and 2021. But these gains have still not translated into full autonomy. Hence this frustration, which was just waiting for a click.

The Minister of the Interior visited the island this week. He very quickly mentioned the possibility of increased autonomy for Corsica. Is this a significant statement?

Corsican nationalists have been calling for this status for years. But you should know that Emmanuel Macron had already made the promise during his 2017 election campaign… without following through. His minister is therefore only putting the project back on the table. “It’s very demagogic a few weeks before the presidential election, underlines Hélène Constanty. The Corsicans find it a bit big. They are very doubtful. ” One thing is certain, this project would be long and complex, since it would involve opening the Constitution and agreeing to several on the terms of “autonomy”. We can already imagine the puzzle. “To be honest, I don’t really believe in it,” says Xavier Crettiez, professor of political science at the University of Saint-Germain-en-Laye and specialist in the phenomena of political violence. “Especially since the nationalists in Corsica are quite disunited and the government will know how to play on this disunity very well, as always…”

More autonomy, what would that mean for Corsica? Doesn’t it already have a special status?

Corsica has a Territorial Assembly, which gives it roughly the same powers as the regions and departments in mainland France. Greater autonomy would allow it to exercise more control over its laws and taxes. The other claims are essentially cultural. The Corsicans claim official recognition of the Corsican people (distinct society) and ask that the Corsican language be recognized as one of the two official languages ​​of the island, which would imply that it be compulsory taught at school and that it is necessary to master it to obtain a position in the territorial public service.

Why is the French government letting this file drag on?

It’s a matter of principle. Because the autonomy of Corsica would be contrary to the principle of indivisibility of the Republic and the Constitution. “It’s a philosophical logic, explains Xavier Crettiez. Unlike Canada, which is more multicultural, France is based on a universalist republican model, where there can be no differences among the French people. Some also fear that concessions made by Paris will have a ripple effect on other regions of France, such as Brittany, which could voice its own demands. Xavier Crettiez does not believe it. “The Breton nationalist movement is completely extinct. The same for the Alsatians and the Béarnais. Ultimately, there may be the Basque problem that could arise, but I doubt it. »

The Corsican National Liberation Front (FLNC) threatened Wednesday to take up arms again. Should it be taken seriously?

Probably not. The terrorist organization laid down its arms in 2014 and it would be surprising to see it resurrected. Its members “no longer have the means to fulfill their ambitions,” sums up Xavier Crettiez. And they know that the police services now have far too powerful means of investigation which would make their actions impossible”. According to Hélène Constanty, the FLNC press release was mainly intended to strike the imagination and put pressure on the government. “They say, ‘Careful, we could be dangerous.’ But it’s more of a deterrent than anything else. »

What impact will the Corsican dossier have on the presidential campaign in France?

“In my opinion, extremely weak”, slice Xavier Crettiez. Emmanuel Macron’s opponents have certainly criticized him this week for wanting to give in to violence, but insofar as the news is completely dominated by Ukraine, the Corsican subject will remain secondary. Unless Yvan Colonna, currently in a coma, dies in the meantime, which could rekindle the fire…