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First non-binding referendum on reunification of Brittany reaches 20% turnout, 75% of "yes" votes

 
Organizing group says vote in Sant-Widel-Skovrid is "true success," more popular referendums are to follow suit · Poll takes places few days after French National Assembly rejects proposal on Breton reunification

Yesterday's first non-binding, popular referendum on the reunification of Brittany was described by Dibab platform as a "true success," after the vote reached a 20% turnout. Dibab organized the referendum in Saint-Widel-Skovrid (Saint-Viaud), with 313 people casting their votes, out of 1,566 people inscribed in the official electoral roll. Another 23 non-inscribed people voted, given that 16- and 17-year-olds were also allowed to participate.

Voters were asked two questions. The first one asked about reunification, that is, the return of the department of Loire-Atlantique -now a part of the Pays de la Loire region- to Brittany. Those who answered "yes" to the first question could go on to the second one, which asked about the merger of the Breton departments and the regional council into a new, stronger Assembly of Brittany.

75% of voters said "yes" to reunification, while 22.5% said "no" and 2.4% cast blank votes. Out of those having answered "yes" to the first question, 80% said "yes" to the Assembly of Brittany, 11% opposed it, and 8.8% cast a blank ballot paper.

The Sant-Widel-Skovrid vote, as a first station of the non-binding consultations, is a significant one, since this municipality is located in the departament of Loire-Atlantique. Town Mayor Roch Chéraud took part in the vote and in the finalisation of the results.

More votes to come

Dibab platform gets inspiration from previous votes, both inside and outside the French Republic. The popular, non-binding referendums on Catalan independence are an especially remarkable example of this. Dibab says the Sant-Widel-Skovrid vote should be the first one of many others along Brittany. The referendums are organized by popular committees under the Dibab umbrella, without public administration support.

The vote has taken place only a few days after the French National Assembly rejected a proposal submitted by Breton AMs to reunify the Loire-Atlantique with Brittany.

(Image: voting time / picture by Dibab.)

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