The French regions were established in the 1980s as part of a plan of decentralisation, then reduced from 22 to 13 in 2015. Most of our readers live in what is now known as Occitanie, previously Midi Pyrenees.
The regions are responsible for many major aspects of our life: schools, infrastructure, trains, agriculture, health, tourism. The region is also responsible for bidding for and distributing EU funds. The main grouse is of course the central government's delegation of powers without the necessary funding. Nevertheless a recent poll suggests that although voters like being in a region they are not happy with the mergers. In Occitanie the Midi Pyreneans are happier that the Languedoc-Rousillonais, possibly because Toulouse is seen to be favoured over Montpellier.
Yet when people were asked what entity they felt most attached to they replied (in order) France, Europe, region, commune, department. The community of communes did not figure. But noticeable that region headed both commune and department.
