PARIS—One year after massive strikes and unrest in the Carribean countries of Guadeloupe and Martinique, and despite new protests on Jan. 10 against the alleged increase of price of goods, French Guiana and Martinique will remain French departments.
The two regions were asked by a referendum on Jan. 10, whether they were willing to acquire a higher autonomy that could have been their first step toward independence.
The unexpected massive refusal (69.8 percent no in French Guiana and 78.9 percent no in Martinique) comes as a slap in the face for local politicians who have long been lobbying for such autonomy. Especially significant is the fact that over 55 percent of voters cast their ballot, which is unusually strong participation judged by local standards.
The last time French Caribbean islands were asked to express their views on the question of autonomy was in December 2003. Less voters cast “no,” illustrating that social and economical support offered by the French government is seen as a warranty of stability for locals.
For the French presidency, the decision shows that Guianese and Martiniquais remain attached to a status close to that of their French continental counterparts.
Pro-independent leaders had no choice but to recognize that they had been rejected by public opinion. In Martinique for instance, the president of the regional council Alfred Marie-Jeanne accepted his defeat.
“The victory is the result of frightening people in an insidious and rampant way,” said Marie-Jeanne to Le Monde newspaper. “The walk toward independence must remain at the forefront of our requests.”
French Overseas Minister Marie-Luce Penchard responded: “This vote will put a lid on the issue of autonomy for a while, as it was polluting the debate on an essential question—that is, economical development. This issue [of autonomy] is not the answer to problems. The proof is provided when during social crisis, there is no expressed willingness to break ties with the continent.”
Earlier in the weekend, local union leader Elie Domota denied he had called for a general strike in Guadeloupe starting Jan. 20.
“I don’t know where this comes from. We have only called for a protest and announced we would discuss how to organize other actions,” explained Domota to France Info radio, arguing that media misunderstood his statement initially made to Le Parisien newspaper.
Domota’s LKP led a 35-day protest in Guadeloupe in January and February 2009. A year later, following a 4-cent increase in the price of oil announced on Dec. 30, LKP called for new street protests, the first of which occurred on Jan. 10 and was joined by approximately 7,500 people according to estimates.
The two regions were asked by a referendum on Jan. 10, whether they were willing to acquire a higher autonomy that could have been their first step toward independence.
The unexpected massive refusal (69.8 percent no in French Guiana and 78.9 percent no in Martinique) comes as a slap in the face for local politicians who have long been lobbying for such autonomy. Especially significant is the fact that over 55 percent of voters cast their ballot, which is unusually strong participation judged by local standards.
The last time French Caribbean islands were asked to express their views on the question of autonomy was in December 2003. Less voters cast “no,” illustrating that social and economical support offered by the French government is seen as a warranty of stability for locals.
For the French presidency, the decision shows that Guianese and Martiniquais remain attached to a status close to that of their French continental counterparts.
Pro-independent leaders had no choice but to recognize that they had been rejected by public opinion. In Martinique for instance, the president of the regional council Alfred Marie-Jeanne accepted his defeat.
“The victory is the result of frightening people in an insidious and rampant way,” said Marie-Jeanne to Le Monde newspaper. “The walk toward independence must remain at the forefront of our requests.”
French Overseas Minister Marie-Luce Penchard responded: “This vote will put a lid on the issue of autonomy for a while, as it was polluting the debate on an essential question—that is, economical development. This issue [of autonomy] is not the answer to problems. The proof is provided when during social crisis, there is no expressed willingness to break ties with the continent.”
Earlier in the weekend, local union leader Elie Domota denied he had called for a general strike in Guadeloupe starting Jan. 20.
“I don’t know where this comes from. We have only called for a protest and announced we would discuss how to organize other actions,” explained Domota to France Info radio, arguing that media misunderstood his statement initially made to Le Parisien newspaper.
Domota’s LKP led a 35-day protest in Guadeloupe in January and February 2009. A year later, following a 4-cent increase in the price of oil announced on Dec. 30, LKP called for new street protests, the first of which occurred on Jan. 10 and was joined by approximately 7,500 people according to estimates.
