The call from the presidents of French regions to move towards federalism

Hello everyone,

The APROFED association is back with you this week following the call from 3 presidents of French regions (Brittany, Pays de la Loire, PACA) in mid-October to move to a federal system for France.

You can find their contributions in the articles below:

Renaud Muselier: “Our country is dysfunctional; we need French-style federalism” – APROFED

Federalism as a proposal from the Brittany region – APROFED

Convergence of all parties for federalism at the session of the “Regional Council of Brittany” – APROFED

“We need a change of approach”: why Christelle Morançais argues for a federal state – APROFED

Thus, in addition to the Normandy region (see Hervé Morin: “Mr. President, let local authorities do their thing” – APROFED ), Nouvelle-Aquitaine (see Federalism is gaining traction among leading Socialist Party officials – APROFED ), Corsica ( see Federalism Friday, July 4, 2025 Afternoon ), and virtually all of France’s overseas territories , from French Polynesia (see The draft constitution of the Federal Republic of Ma’Ohi Nui (PF) unveiled – APROFED ) to New Caledonia (see aprofed.nc/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/accords-de-matignon_1.pdf ), including Martinique, French Guiana, and others, almost all of France’s peripheral regions, more or less distant from the capital, Paris, are now calling for a complete overhaul of the system. , faced with increasingly centralized but less and less effective decisions, thus proposing the federal solution, which we are more than in favor of.

The association therefore turned once again to AI to ask it what political, economic and symbolic strategies the regions could, in the long term, use to push the central government to consider a federal evolution .

Here is a structured analysis, with realistic levers.

1. Create a political and institutional balance of power

a) Strengthen regional political legitimacy

• • Regions can develop more representative institutions : strong regional assemblies, citizen consultations, participatory budgets, etc.

• • By appearing as effective and responsible democratic powers , they gain credibility vis-à-vis Paris.

• • Example: Scotland or Catalonia strengthened their autonomy by building efficient administrations before claiming federal status.

b) Forming interregional alliances

• • The regions could cooperate with each other (Grand Est + Bourgogne-Franche-Comté + Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, for example) on economic or environmental projects.

• • These coalitions effectively create a “horizontal” coordination that bypasses centralization.

• • If several regions speak with one voice, it carries political weight against Paris .

2. Leverage local economic strength and innovation

a) Demonstrate the added value of regional governance

• • By developing effective local economic, environmental and educational policies, regions can demonstrate that proximity improves outcomes .

• • Concrete example: a region that manages the energy transition or vocational training better may require more skills.

b) To have influence in budget negotiations

• • Regions could demand more fiscal autonomy and show that they can manage public funds responsibly.

• • A financially self-sufficient and well-managed region becomes a model that others will want to imitate.

3. Building a democratic and cultural dynamic

a) Mobilize citizens around an open regional identity

• • This is not about separatism, but about cooperative federalism : the idea that France would be “a federation of regions” rather than a centralized state.

• • Campaigns, public debates, and regional citizens’ conventions could contribute to this vision.

b) Create a French federalist discourse

• • Today, federalism is often perceived as “anti-national”.

• • The regions can reformulate the federal project as a democratic modernization , inspired by the German, Swiss or Canadian model: more efficiency, transparency and local freedom.

4. Use European levers

• • The European Union is naturally in favour of strong regions , through the Committee of the Regions, structural funds, cross-border cooperation, etc.

• • By becoming more involved in Brussels, the regions can create a second channel of political legitimacy .

• • If the regions become major European interlocutors, Paris will be forced to reassess their status in order not to lose control.

5. To provoke a long-term constitutional debate

• • The ultimate goal would be to evolve the Constitution towards a model of a “Federal Republic of France” , where the regions would have:

• • • partial legislative autonomy;

• • • real fiscal power;

• • • a representation in the Senate transformed into the “Chamber of Regions”.

To achieve this:

• • Local experiments can serve as a laboratory (like Corsica or Alsace).

• • A crisis of confidence between the center and the periphery (e.g., regarding the management of health, environmental, etc. crises) could serve as a trigger.

In summary

The association also asked the AI ​​to propose a scenario that could resemble a “federal roadmap for France” over the next 2 years in order to lay the concrete foundations of a credible and irreversible federalist movement , aiming to open the constitutional debate in Paris.

Two-year roadmap: “Towards a regional federal pact”

Phase 1 – 0 to 6 months: regional coalition and demonstration of competence

Objective: to create a united political and symbolic front of the regions.

1. 1. Joint statement from several regional presidents

→ Signing of a “Manifesto of the Regions for a decentralized and federal Republic” .
→ Common demand: effective transfer of powers and fiscal autonomy.

1. 1. Creation of a “Permanent Council of the Regions of France” (CPRF)

→ An autonomous interregional body, parallel to the State, to coordinate regional public policies (climate, innovation, transport, etc.).
→ This council does not replace the Senate or the government, but becomes a real political hub , with meetings that receive media attention.

1. 1. Pilot projects for enhanced local governance

→ One or two regions (e.g., Brittany, Grand Est, or Corsica) are experimenting with almost complete management of certain responsibilities (education, health, training).
→ The State is presented with a fait accompli: “We manage better, let us do it.”

1. 1. Regional citizen mobilization

→ Organization of “General Assemblies of the Territories” in each region.
→ These consultations produce proposals for constitutional reform.
→ Regional media widely disseminate the message: “We want a federal republic.”

Phase 2 – 6 to 12 months: political and European power-building

Objective: to internationalize and institutionalize the movement.

1. 1. Alliance with European institutions

→ The regions rely on the European Committee of the Regions and cohesion policy .
→ Message to Brussels: “We are direct partners of Europe, not mere implementers of Paris.”

1. 1. Creation of an experimental “shared regional budget”

→ Pooling of certain resources (renewable energy, innovation) between 3 or 4 regions.
→ This fund demonstrates the collective financial capacity of the regional bloc.
→ Objective: to prove that regions can manage national policies.

1. 1. coordinated national communication

→ Media campaign: “Federalism is not division: it is modernization.”
→ Use of social networks, local elected officials and intellectuals to change the vocabulary of public debate.

Phase 3 – 12 to 18 months: political pressure on Paris

Objective: to force the government to negotiate.

1. 1. Symbolic vote in several regional councils

→ Adoption of resolutions for federal reform (German or Canadian model).
→ Each regional council requests the opening of a national conference on federalism .

1. 1. Parliamentary support

→ Members of Parliament and senators from federalist regions submit a proposal for constitutional revision :
“Towards a Federal Republic of France” .
→ Even if it is not adopted, it forces a national institutional debate .

1. 1. Mobilization of major cities

→ Major cities (Lyon, Lille, Bordeaux, Toulouse…) are joining the movement.
→ The message is becoming: “The France of the regions wants to decide for itself.”

Phase 4 – 18 to 24 months: the national turning point

Objective: to obtain a commitment from the central government.

1. 1. “France of the Regions – Paris” Summit

→ Regional presidents propose a Territorial Refounding Pact to the government.
→ Three concrete demands:

1. 1. • Regulated fiscal autonomy.

1. 1. • Reform of the Senate into a Chamber of Regions.

1. 1. • Enhanced right to legislative experimentation.

1. 1. State concession or blockage

1. 1. • If the government accepts: a constituent process can begin (Citizens’ Convention or Balladur Commission 2.0).

1. 1. • If he refuses: the regions radicalize their union by declaring themselves the “Federal Conference of French Regions” , marking a clear political break.

1. 1. Popular support

→ If the regional movement gains widespread citizen support (polls, demonstrations, local elected officials), Paris is forced to open a reform or negotiate an “organic law of enhanced autonomy”.

In summary

In two years, it is impossible to transform France into a federation , but it is possible to trigger an irreversible federalist movement :

• • Creation of a unified and visible regional front.

• • Internationalization (via the EU).

• • Democratic and parliamentary pressure.

• • Start of public constitutional debate.

The association therefore calls on the presidents of the regions and the association of regions of France to implement this federal roadmap as soon as possible.

Wishing you a pleasant read and reminding you that federalism is the only solution to reconcile unity in diversity.

The APROFED association