Demonstration in Bastia draws participants

On Saturday, around 100 people gathered in front of the prefecture of Haute-Corse in Bastia as part of the ongoing social and student movement. The event was described as peaceful, with participants seeking to show their determination without causing unrest.

Student demands focus on education reforms

Students made up a significant portion of the gathering, with their main concerns centered on the reform of Parcoursup, a centralized platform for higher education applications, as well as changes to school schedules and improved conditions in high schools. These issues are seen as urgent given the growing social challenges faced by many Corsicans.

Response to online criticism

The demonstration also aimed to counter online criticism from some social media users, who dismissed the movement as merely a copy of mainland French issues, unrelated to Corsica’s unique identity and values. Joseph Battistelli, a senior high school student, argued that the demands reflect the daily lives of Corsicans of all ages and stressed that social issues and Corsican nationalism are not mutually exclusive.

Left-wing groups and political figures attend

Trade unions and political parties such as the CGT, the Communist Party, France Insoumise, and the Cumitatu di Ricustruzzione d’u Partitu Cumunistu participated in the event. Two left-wing autonomist figures, Sacha Bastelica and Charlotte Cesari, also attended, with Cesari expressing concern over the lack of representation from autonomist and independence parties.