Laurent Marcangeli has been named the new Minister of Public Action, Public Service, and Simplification in the government of François Bayrou, marking a significant shift within Corsican political leadership. The announcement, made on December 23, has sparked reactions both locally and nationally, as the 44-year-old former mayor of Ajaccio steps onto the broader political stage alongside some notable names, including Manuel Valls, who serves as the Minister for Overseas Territories.
On the evening of the announcement, one of Marcangeli's close associates exclaimed, "C'est la surprise du chef ! Nous l'avons su au dernier moment," highlighting the rapid nature of his transition from local to national politics.
Marcangeli’s rise to ministerial office is particularly notable considering his history with Valls, who has been seen as somewhat controversial, particularly due to statements he made about the cultural violence endemic to Corsica. Once at odds, the two now find themselves sharing cabinet space—a dynamic sure to intrigue political observers.
This cohabitation between Marcangeli and Valls stirs memories of their prior confrontations during Marcangeli's tenure as mayor when he vocally opposed Valls’s characterization of Corsican culture. Marcangeli had publicly condemned Valls’s remarks as "scandalous," asserting them to be misrepresentative of Corsican identities. A heated exchange caught on the parliamentary floor had them confronting one another directly, indicating the depth of their political rivalry. “Vous avez dit que la Corse était culturellement violente. Mes compatriotes désapprouvent très fermement ces propos indignes d'un ministre de l'Intérieur,” Marcangeli had declared at the time.
With the recent elections underscoring rising nationalist sentiments and concerns surrounding political violence, Marcangeli's ascent could reflect broader changes within Corsican politics. Less than two months ago, Corsica experienced its tenth murder of the year, stirring public outcry over violence on the island and prompting discussions about governance and order. It was during such discourse, Valls once maintained, “L'État doit en finir avec ces violences, avec ces assassinats, avec cette culture de la violence qui gangrène la Corse.” While Valls’s comments were intended to highlight the state’s responsibility, they only added fuel to the already contentious exchange with Marcangeli.
The political backdrop of Corsica is complex, as exemplified by the recent meeting between the League of Human Rights representatives and the Corsican prefect, Jérôme Filippini. The discussion on December 23 brought forth concerns over the rising influence of the far-right and increased demands for Corsican autonomy. André Paccou from the LDH highlighted the dangers of the rhetoric being spread by political parties like Mossa Palatina, as concerns about mainstream acceptance of exclusionary ideas become prominent. “Des gens profèrent des idées dangereuses pour le vivre-ensemble,” Paccou warned, reflecting the apprehensions echoed among civil society.
With Marcangeli now positioned at the helm of public service, it remains to be seen how he will navigate the existing political fissures, both with Valls and the broader social unrest surrounding Corsica's identity and governance issues. Each minister holds significantly different views on autonomy and the island’s future within France, with Valls previously stating the idea of incorporating Corsican autonomy within the Constitution would open “une boîte de Pandore pour tous les communautarismes.” This disagreement could pose challenges as they both now share responsibilities linked to governance across the French territory.
Public opinion will undoubtedly play a pivotal role as well, particularly as Corsicans grapple with their identity against the pressures of French national politics. The reception of Marcangeli's appointment will likely hinge on how effectively he can bridge the gaps between different factions and maintain stability. The wait for tangible outcomes from this new administration and the fructification of discussions about the future autonomy of Corsica continues.
