the blocking of airports and ports “cannot be lifted if we remain on this denial of the word given by the State”, estimates Gilles Simeoni

THE “blocking” of Corsica’s ports and airports continues on Friday October 4, assures franceinfo the autonomous president of the executive council of the island, Gilles Simeoni. “He will not be able to stand up if we remain as we are in this denial of the word given by the State”he continues.

“I hope that the situation will resolve itself as quickly as possible but I also say that the State, when it gives its word, must not take it back in the scandalous conditions that we have witnessed”he explains. “I am doing everything to ensure that this is unblocked, but it can only be unblocked if there is a clear public position from the government,” assures Gilles Simeoni. “We do not want large international groups to come and manage the airports and ports of Corsica,” insists the strong man of the island.

Since Thursday, a spontaneous strike by agents of the chamber of commerce has paralyzed the island. A movement of anger which follows the reluctance expressed by a representative of the prefect of Corsica on a system allowing the chamber of commerce to continue to manage the airports and ports of the island, in the name of a “significant legal risk”.

As the concessions expire on December 31, a call for tenders could decide to award them to the private sector as has been the case on the continent since 2020. For Gilles Simeoni, it is a question of“a denial (…) against all expectations” on the part of the State. He asks “in the name of the continuity of the State, in the name of respecting the commitments made” that “Today’s government is saying very clearly that it is respecting the commitments made by yesterday’s government.”