Limousin set for Aquitaine union

LIMOUSIN looks set to merge with Aquitaine in a new-look map of France, after MPs adopted an amendment to original proposals to cut the number of regions from 22 to 14.

Under the original plans for territorial reform in France, Aquitaine was to have remained a standalone region, while Limousin was set to join Centre and Poitou-Charentes.

But MP Carlos Da Silva, who is close to Prime Minister Manuel Valls, proposed an amendment that merged Limousin with its neighbour to the southwest.

The amendment was the only one adopted. A possible rival plan that united Aquitaine with Midi Pyrenees to the west did not make it into the chamber, while schemes to unite Picardy Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Champagne-Ardenne and Lorraine; Poitou-Charentes-Aquitaine; and Pays de la Loire to Brittany were all rejected.

The revised map has not met with universal approval. MoDem leader and mayor of Pau François Bayrou described the union between Limousin and Aquitaine “absurd”.

“A month ago they said will go with Aquitaine-Poitou-Charentes; two weeks ago they said Aquitaine will remain alone. Today we say Aquitaine will unite with Limousin,” he said, adding that he believed the merger of the two regions was purely political and not based on any legitimate economic reason.

Meanwhile, a survey on behalf of the communist daily Humanist revealed that 69% of French people want a referendum on the planned territorial reform.

Image: Elysee Palace