Weekly Report - 14 January 2010 (WR-10-02)

FRENCH GUIANA & MARTINIQUE | Greater autonomy rejected. The French overseas departments of Martinique and French Guiana voted against the option of greater autonomy in recent referendums. With a 48% turnout, Martinique voted by 69.8% against the proposal, while in French Guiana, where turnout was 55%, 80% rejected the move. The local media speculated that the territories, voted against autonomy for two main reasons - the considerable budget subsidies provided by France, and the lack of trust among residents of local political leaders. The votes come a year after violence hit the French Caribbean territories, in protests over low wages and high prices [WR-09-08]. Guadeloupe, another French overseas department in the region, is due to hold a referendum on the same issue, but officials say that regional elections in March 2010 should be held first.

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