A referendum on becoming an overseas territory was held in Martinique on 10 January 2010.Martinique (France), 10 January 2010: Conversion to Overseas Territory Direct Democracy The proposal was rejected by 79% of voters, with a turnout of 55%. A simultaneous referendum was rejected in French Guiana.French Guiana (France), 10 January 2010: Conversion to Overseas Territory Direct Democracy
Background French President Nicolas Sarkozy proposed the referendum after visiting the Caribbean island of Martinique in June 2009. The French overseas departments of Martinique and Guadeloupe had suffered prolonged general strikes in early 2009, due to low wages and standards of living. The rationale for holding a referendum on Martinique's status came about after protests in 2009 about growing unemployment and inflation throughout the French Caribbean, leading to the French government to hold negotiations with the local Martiniqueans government about their status within Overseas France.
Martiniquean voters were asked whether they wanted more power to be given to the local government based in Fort-de-France. Martinique was an overseas region and an overseas department of France, regulated by the article 73 of the French Constitution, giving it the same political status as metropolitan departments and regions. The proposed change would have led to it becoming an overseas collectivity, regulated by the article 74 of the French Constitution, similar to French Polynesia.La Guyane et la Martinique refusent plus d'autonomie Le Figaro, 11 January 2010
Results
Aftermath 79% of Mariniqueans who voted rejected the option for more autonomy. After the vote, President Sarkosy said that the result would "close the debate" on more autonomy for Martinique "for a long time". This came after "No" voters had claimed that more autonomy would lead to a drop in payments of French social benefits. Senator Claude Lise, who backed the autonomy vote, stated "this was a vote of panic".
References
External links RFI: Martinique and Guyana vote on more autonomy