The Role of the Central State in the Development of the Regional Secessionist Movements in France and Spain

France and Spain are two democracies from Western Europe, member of the European Union, suffering, at different degrees, from separatisms movements. This study, after defining the framework analysis and the different notions that can be found under the term of “separatism movements”, will try to define what is the role of the Central State facing these problematics. The study will focus on two regions where separatist movements progressed the most in these countries in the last decade, Catalonia and Corsica. Using qualitative analysis, especially political discourse analysis, this study will examine what was the role of the Spanish and French State in the progression of these movements, what are the reasons for this progression, and what were the State’s strategies to prevent further progressions. The examination of political speeches and interviews from the political leaders of each sides will help us determining what were the main objectives behind their decisions.