{"id":1661,"date":"2026-07-06T13:05:21","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T11:05:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yes.bzh\/?p=1661"},"modified":"2026-07-06T16:45:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T14:45:25","slug":"devolution-in-brittany-and-corsica","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yes.bzh\/en\/devolution-in-brittany-and-corsica\/","title":{"rendered":"Corsica and Brittany: autonomy is built through devolution"},"content":{"rendered":"

Corsica did not gain its autonomy in a day<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A commitment to evolution for over forty years<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The announcement of the (haphazard) launch of a legislative process (uncertain) regarding a future Corsican autonomy project has naturally drawn attention. For many observers, this development seems recent. However, it results neither from a sudden decision nor from a brutal change in French institutions.

The autonomy being discussed today would be the culmination of a long process initiated over forty years ago. Since the early 1980s, several successive reforms have gradually strengthened the powers of Corsican institutions. At each stage, the central government has agreed to hand over new responsibilities to the Collectivity of Corsica, without changing the Constitution but by maintaining a dialogue with local elected officials.

In other words, Corsica has gradually built its capacity to make more decisions for itself. This journey is essential for understanding current debates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gradually transferred skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This evolution therefore took place without institutional rupture. Over the years (and it must be said, due to attacks!), Corsica has received new powers in various fields, such as economic development, regional planning, transport, culture, and even certain educational policies.

Every transfer of powers has had the same effect. Corsican elected officials have had greater discretion to adapt their public policies to the realities of their island. In return, they have also had to assume the responsibilities associated with these new powers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's a point that's often overlooked.
Receiving more powers doesn't just mean having greater freedom of action. It also implies more obligations, more results and more accountability to citizens.
Autonomy therefore progresses as responsibilities progress.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Devolution before the word autonomy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This long road has a name: devolution<\/strong>.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The term is still not well known in Brittany or in France. 
Yet, it accurately describes what has been built up in Corsica over several decades, as elsewhere, notably in the United Kingdom; Italy, Spain, and what already existed in Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, etc. Devolution consists, in fact, of progressively transferring powers and responsibilities from central government to a collective body. Each new responsibility entrusted increases its capacity to make its own decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In reality, autonomy is not born from a single reform. It is built through devolution.
This distinction is important. There is much talk today about the autonomy of Corsica, but much less about the process that already allowed it to be granted in a \u2018light\u2019 version, before, one hopes, an expanded autonomy soon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, devolution is indeed the key to understanding this evolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Yes Breizh, this idea is fundamental. The challenge is not to seek a radical change of institutions or to stir up talk of autonomy, but to engage, for Brittany, in a comparable process of devolution: a gradual transfer of powers and responsibilities, allowing Brittany to become increasingly autonomous, step by step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Devolution in Brittany: definition, issues and model for the future<\/a><\/blockquote>