Chirac and Jospin at loggerheads over autonomy plan for Corsica

It's amazing that a small island can wreak such havoc in French politics. But in recent days an autonomy plan for Corsica has fragmented the main French political coalitions and threatened the cohesion of the left-wing government.

Yesterday, at the last cabinet meeting before a three-week summer break, it led to confrontation between President Jacques Chirac and the Prime Minister, Mr Lionel Jospin.

Corsica was not listed on the schedule for the cabinet meeting, but Mr Chirac never misses an opportunity to needle his rival.

Reforms in Corsica were "desirable and necessary", the President told Mr Jospin's ministers. But changes to the island's status had to be undertaken with "lucidity and responsibility". Furthermore, "they must respect the principles of our republic and its unity, principles whose guarantor is the President".

Mr Chirac's and Mr Jospin's words in the closed-door meeting were relayed to the press by their spokesmen. "Your assessment was expected and you have given it," Mr Jospin replied curtly. "I have nothing to add."

Mr Chirac's Gaullist RPR party said the President's stand "put a stop to a dangerous drift". The small Socialist left party has issued a communique warning that it "would be absurd if the Corsican imbroglio caused the [ruling] coalition to crumble" - but that is what appears to be happening.

It would destroy the government's credibility if another minister had to stand in for the interior minister, Mr Jean-Pierre Chevenement, because he refuses to defend the draft law on Corsica. If approved, the accord will require a constitutional reform to give the Corsican regional assembly the power to "adapt" French laws after 2004.

The Employment Minister, Ms Martine Aubry, has made it clear she will resign to campaign for the mayoralty of Lille, so Mr Chevenement may be given her job, or he may leave the government on the pretext that he, too, wants to stand in municipal elections next March.