French Interior Minister Resigns Over Peace PlanIn a move opponents claim could weaken the ruling coalition, French interior minister Jean-Pierre Chevenement resigned Tuesday in open disagreement with the Socialist-led government over a peace plan for violence-wracked Corsica. The resignation was the result of deep disagreements over the future of the French Mediterranean island of Corsica, wracked by separatist violence for a quarter-century.Chevenement, 61, did not approve of a plan, which would give the local Corsican assembly limited legislative power. The plan was approved by Corsican lawmakers in July, and was seen as a breakthrough. But Chevenement feared it does not guarantee against further violence and that it would fracture the French republic. |
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