Picture eleven determined people-eleven executive councillors, to be precise-marching in, their shoes echoing on the grand floors. They gather after each territorial election, with one leader among them: the President of the Executive Council. Now, don’t expect secret handshakes or smoke-filled rooms; instead, these councillors are elected in public, through a high-stakes majority vote by the Corsican Assembly. In fact, all the seats on the council go to the winning team-so it’s a bit of a “winner takes all,” Corsican style.
But there’s a twist: back before the 2015 reforms, there were only nine of these power players. Just imagine the excitement that day-“Surprise! Everyone gets two new colleagues.” It must have made office karaoke night a bit livelier.
The president isn’t just a figurehead, though. This is the top dog, responsible for preparing and carrying out the assembly’s plans, keeping Corsican services running smoothly, and presenting a yearly report on how things are going. If anything goes wrong-like a council seat suddenly opening up-the Assembly steps in and quickly finds a replacement. But if the president leaves? Well, then there’s a dramatic reset, and the whole council is elected again. It’s election fever, Corsican edition!
Here’s where it gets ceremonial: when Gilles Simeoni became president in December 2015, he took his oath not just in French, not just in Italian, but in Corsican-standing over a rare 1758 edition of “Giustificazione della rivoluzione di Corsica.” It’s a scene that no Hollywood set designer could top-books older than the Eiffel Tower, and a language echoing with centuries of island pride.
And let’s not forget the council meetings-open to the members of the Assembly, who can come and argue, persuade, or even, if they’re feeling brave, bring a motion of no-confidence against the council. That’s right, the councilors really have to be on their toes! Every vote is packed with just enough drama to keep even the oldest marble columns awake.
So as you stand here, take a moment to imagine the quiet intensity inside-debate, collaboration, and history in the making. Corsica isn’t just a place for rugged landscapes and clear-blue waters, but a stage where modern democracy takes on an island flavor. And unlike some tourist sites, this place doesn’t just show you the past-it’s busy creating the future!
