WI: Saar Protecotrate Not Given Option of Re-joining Germany

Alright, so IOTL the Saar Protectorate was originally meant to become an Independent state as agree on by Germany and France, however the Referendum on Independence failed, with 66% voting against it, with the territory eventually being allowed to Re-join Germany as part of the Saar Treaty 2 years later.

So, let's say France wanting its pound of flesh from Germany decides against a straight-up Independence referendum but rather holds a referendum with two options; Becoming an Independent State (forbidden from ever re-unifying with Germany) or becoming a slightly autonomous part of France (German being allowed to remain the first language etc.).

How would the Saar vote and how would the history of the region and Europe itself develop differently?
 
To be honest, the two options in practice were never meant to be different in any meaningful way. If given independence, it would never have been more than a bad joke.
 
Why not just try a referendum in 1967 instead of 1956? Twenty years as a protectorate may change the opinions of some Saarlanders. Either way, it may serve as a spoiler for De Gaulle in his attempts to gain West Germany as a close ally.
 
Why not just try a referendum in 1967 instead of 1956?

I'm assuming pressure from the U.S. and U.N..

Either way, it may serve as a spoiler for De Gaulle in his attempts to gain West Germany as a close ally.

Maybe, maybe not, the original idea on Saar becoming an independent state was negotiated between and agreed on by France and West Germany.
 
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