France agrees to discuss Corsica autonomy after violent protests (photos)

Darmanin was on the Mediterranean island last week in a bid to quell tensions in anti-government protests that erupted when a prominent pro-independence jailed activist was severely attacked in a French prison.

Darmanin spoke with elected leaders in Lorsika and promised “an unprecedented round of discussions” to resolve the issue.

“We are ready to go to autonomy, that’s where I said it,” he said in an interview with Corse Mati.

Gilles Simeoni, head of the island’s executive council, welcomed the offer but said “Darmanin’s words should be followed up with concrete actions”.

Anger in Corsica erupted when island independence activist Yvan Colonna, convicted of murder, was attacked in a prison in Arles, mainland France.

Colonna is serving a life sentence for the 1998 murder of French Prefect Claude ignrignac – The prisoner has remained in a coma after being attacked by another prisoner, authorities in France say.

Students, unions and nationalist groups in Corsica have blamed Paris for the attack, as Colonna has long appealed to serve her sentence in Corsica.

Until a few months ago, France had granted him the status of “prisoner of special interest” but the removal of this has not calmed the protesters.

More than 100 people, including 77 police officers, were injured in fierce clashes between protesters in Bastia, the island’s center.

Darmanin has acknowledged some of the state’s responsibility for the Colonna attack, but said criticism of the protests was “excessive”.

The decision to soften France’s historic control over Corsica, the Mediterranean island of 330,000 inhabitants, would be unprecedented.

Activists demand that France allow more control of the island over taxes, language and employment.

French presidential candidate Yannick Jadot said earlier that he was in favor of “full Corsica autonomy”, while right-wing candidate Marine Le Pen said the island “should remain French”, according to Euronews.

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