Suggestion for constitutional amendment: Grant "statutory autonomy" to Corsica through a revision in the constitution, as proposed in a report from the Assembly.
In a significant development, a parliamentary report presented on Wednesday, May 28, suggests that Corsica be recognized as a "community with a special status" within the French Constitution. Known as an "autonomy status" or "statut d'autonomie," this new status would grant Corsica increased autonomy over its internal affairs, although it would not include full legislative power as sought by nationalist groups.
The report, led by Florent Boudié of Renaissance and consisting of representatives from all major political groups in the National Assembly, along with the four Corsican deputies, calls for the attribution of normative power to the Community of Corsica. This would allow Corsica to adapt laws and regulations within limited matters, as outlined by a future organic law.
However, the proposal does not extend to regulatory powers in areas such as nationality, civil rights, public freedoms, justice organization, criminal law, foreign policy, defense, security, or public order. These exclusions are intended to avoid any regulatory missions.
The constitutional law, if approved, would establish the broad principles of Corsica's autonomy, while the organic legislator would determine the extent of the new prerogatives. The report's recommendation is for the constitutional bill to be presented to the Council of Ministers and deposited before Parliament before the summer, with a timeline for the reunion of the Congress in Versailles scheduled for the end of 2025.
This proposed constitutional reform would need to be approved simultaneously by the National Assembly and the Senate, and a subsequent majority of three-fifths during their reunion in Congress. However, the far right is against this reform, while the right remains skeptical.
This proposal is part of ongoing negotiations between Corsican representatives and the French government, which began with the "processus de Beauvau" in 2022. While the French government has shown reluctance to recognize Corsica's national identity and language, these aspects are central to the autonomy demands.
The parliamentary report presented on May 28 recommends a constitutional change, assigning the Community of Corsica normative power in selected policy-and-legislation areas. This policy change, if approved, could lead to increased political autonomy for Corsica in select general-news matters. Despite this, the proposed regulations will not include complete autonomy over areas such as nationality, civil rights, and foreign policy, as these are reserved for national governance.
