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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?
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