You may have heard about it: Emmanuel Macron and the reform of the large regions seem to raise serious concerns in Alsace. But what is the reality? Are the identity and the specificities of this region at risk of being erased? Hang on, as we dive into this thorny question to uncover the truth about this regional reform!
Emmanuel Macron’s turnaround on the large regions
Six weeks after mentioning his opposition to any major institutional change concerning Alsace, President Emmanuel Macron seems to open a new perspective during his press conference on June 12. He now appears favorable to “giving citizens a choice” to reconsider the division into large regions.
Criticism of the large regions
In a speech reminiscent of a campaign, Macron highlighted the shortcomings of the 13 regions established in 2015, which he claimed had “distanced decision-making” from citizens. This observation is shared by many regional stakeholders, notably Unser Land, a movement advocating for Alsace’s independence.
- Decision-making centers too far away
- The feeling of dispossession among residents
- The need for a free and open debate on the reform
What future for Alsace in this context?
Does this recent position from Macron open a path for Alsace as a distinct regional entity? While some see it as an opportunity, others remain skeptical about the consistency of presidential promises.
- Waiting for reactions from local and political actors in Alsace
- Unser Land lurking for the next legislative elections
- Pressure maintained on Macron in case of a significant score for Unser Land
An institutional debate on hold
The debate on the institutional future of Alsace remains open, particularly following the 2022 citizen consultation where a large majority voted in favor of Alsace’s exit from Grand Est. The upcoming elections and results in Alsace will be closely monitored in Paris, thus shaping the contours of a potential institutional evolution.
