2010 Martiniquean status referendum

May 2026 Do you approve of the transformation of Martinique into an overseas collectivity governed by article 74 of the Constitution, endowed with a particular organization taking into account its own interests within the Republic? Martinique 10 January 2010 32954 126298 4946 296802 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 de 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 de Background French President Nicolas Sarkozy proposed the referendum after visiting the Caribbean island of Martinique in June 2009.French Guiana and Martinique reject increased autonomy https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8451095.stm BBC News 2010-01-10 2010-01-12 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.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/4537753.stm Regions and territories: Martinique 29 August 2012 BBC News 2026-05-01 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 32954 126298 4946 296802 Direct Democracy Aftermath 79% of Mariniqueans who voted rejected the option for more autonomy.https://www.france24.com/en/20100111-french-guiana-martinique-vote-against-more-autonomy French Guiana, Martinique vote against more autonomy 11 January 2010 France 24 2026-05-01 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".https://www.bbc.co.uk/webarchive/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fcaribbean%2Fnews%2Fstory%2F2010%2F01%2F100111_martref.shtml 2026-05-01 BBC News Martinique rejects more power References External links RFI: Martinique and Guyana vote on more autonomy Status Martinique Category:Referendums in Martinique Category:Autonomy referendums