CORSICA, France (AP) – Corsica’s nationalist leaders are demonstrating along with unions and students ahead of a visit next week by French President Emmanuel Macron.
The newly elected leaders on the French Mediterranean island hope that Saturday’s march will spur on fresh talks with the French government about demands including equal status for the Corsican language and the release of Corsican prisoners held in mainland prisons.
In December, Corsican nationalists swept the election for a new regional assembly, crushing Macron’s young centrist movement and traditional parties. The nationalists want more autonomy from Paris but unlike some in Spain’s nearby Catalonia, they aren’t seeking full independence – yet.
President of the Corsican Executive council Gilles Simeoni, center, takes part in a demonstration ahead of a visit to the Mediterranean island next week by French President Emmanuel Macron, in Ajaccio, Corsica island, France, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018. Corsica’s newly elected leaders want new talks with the government about their demands, including equal status for the Corsican language and the release of Corsican prisoners held in mainland prisons. (AP Photo/Raphael Poletti)
They also want protections for locals buying real estate on the destination that the French refer to as the “Island of Beauty,” which is famed as Napoleon’s birthplace.
President of the Corsican Assembly Jean-Guy Talamoni, left, and President of the Corsican Executive council Gilles Simeoni take part in a demonstration ahead of a visit to the Mediterranean island next week by French President Emmanuel Macron, in Ajaccio, Corsica island, France, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018. Corsica’s newly elected leaders want new talks with the government about their demands, including equal status for the Corsican language and the release of Corsican prisoners held in mainland prisons. (AP Photo/Raphael Poletti)
President of the Corsican Assembly Jean-Guy Talamoni, left, and President of the Corsican Executive council Gilles Simeoni take part in a demonstration ahead of a visit to the Mediterranean island next week by French President Emmanuel Macron, in Ajaccio, Corsica island, France, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018. Corsica’s newly elected leaders want new talks with the government about their demands, including equal status for the Corsican language and the release of Corsican prisoners held in mainland prisons. (AP Photo/Raphael Poletti)
Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.