Public opinion shifts in Corsica

A new survey shows that a majority of Corsicans and French people support a bill on Corsican autonomy, which the Senate is preparing to vote on. The Ifop survey, commissioned by the group Régions et peuples solidaires, reveals that 66% of Corsicans and 62% of French people back the Senate's adoption of the autonomy bill.

Growing support for legislative power

The survey highlights a significant increase in support for granting legislative power to the Corsican Assembly. In 2003, 52% of Corsicans believed this should happen, but today, 73% of respondents are in favor. Additionally, 64% of Corsican voters would support autonomy if a referendum were held.

Language and self-governance preferences

The survey also found that 70% of Corsicans support the resident status and co-officiality of the Corsican language. When similar questions were asked of French people on the mainland, 66% supported the creation of an insular community, 65% backed Corsica's ability to set its own rules in areas of competence, and 58% supported adapting certain laws to the island's needs.

Changing demographics and political ideas

The findings suggest that nationalist or autonomist ideas have gained more acceptance in Corsica, a region that has seen demographic changes due to the arrival of mainlanders, as noted in INSEE surveys. The concept of a "community of destiny," a key part of the FLNC ideology since the 1970s, appears to be reflected in these results.

Survey may influence Senate debate

The survey's results, marked and coming from a reputable polling institute, could influence the Senate's debate on the autonomy bill. However, the exact impact remains to be seen as the discussion unfolds.