Protests have been emerging in a number of territories after French President François Hollande unveiled his proposal for a new territorial map of the French Republic. Brittany is one of them: two street protests have been called for the upcoming weeks. The first one will be held tomorrow June 14th, after the Bonnets Rouges movement has called to demonstrate in 18 Breton prefectures and sub-prefectures. Among their demands, exemption from two taxes, greater decision making for Brittany, and reunification with the Loire-Atlantique, a historically and culturally Breton departament that in spite of this is currently part of the region of Pays de la Loire (see map).

Two weeks later, on June 28th, several groups are calling for a demonstration in Loire-Atlantique's main city Nantes in order to demand a referendum on the reunification of that department with Brittany.

The Breton movement had hoped that Hollande's plan would open the door for the merger of Brittany with Loire-Atlantique. But activists were upset when they learnt that the French President was proposing to leave the Pays de la Loire borders untouched.

Breton President asks for identity and democracy

In a letter to the citizens, President of the Regional Council of Brittany Pierrick Massiot says Bretons should be given a say over the future of their territory. According to him, a "democratic process" should be started, in which decisions such as the reunification of Brittany with Loire-Atlantique could be discussed.

Breton reunification, Massiot argues, could create a 4.5 million strong region with "three metropolitan cities and other attractive towns" which would support a "a coherent economic fabric, with powerful capabilities for research and higher education."

Massiot also points out that asserting Breton identity gives a bonus to locally made products: "Modernity does not require renunciation of identity. [...] Modernity has a name: democracy, this fragile system, whereby the inhabitants of a territory are eligible to participate in the government affairs that belong to them."

Breton parties oppose Hollande's plan

Breton parties are clearly opposing plans by Hollande not to allow reunification of Loire-Atlantique with Brittany. President of Breton Party (PB) Yves Pelle says Paris is acting without knowledge of reality and is advocating a reform that would be "a disaster for Brittany and especially for the Bretons." PB says the Bretons should continue their struggle for reunification, without waiting for the French government to see the need.

Christian Troadec's Brittany Progress Movement (MBP) says Hollande's plan amount to the largest "contempt" against the Breton people "over the last 50 years." The new map, Troadec argues, has been designed with "no known criteria and without a method." Bretons, Troadec concludes, should actively oppose "the brutality of Paris's decisions."

The Breton Democratic Union (UDB) considers France to be a "monarchical republic" that should "democratize" by allowing "public debate" and a "referendum" on reunification.

Further information:

Nationalia: Hollande's new territorial map of France sparks discontent and Brice Lafontaine: "In Northern Catalonia, we have nothing to gain from this macro-region"