Europe News
Martinique and Guyana hold referenda on more autonomy from France
Jan 10, 2010, 22:15 GMT
Paris - The inhabitants of the French overseas territories of Martinique and Guyana on Sunday took part in a referendum on more autonomy from former colonial power France.
However, opinion poll suggested a strong preference for the status quo.
The referendum, in which around 300,000 inhabitants of Martinique and about 70,000 in Guyana have been called to vote, does raise the prospect of full independence from France.
But if the outcome indicates a desire for greater autonomy, parliament would then have to vote on concrete arrangements for this.
Over the past year, Martinique has seen a 38-day general strike and unrest in the wake of a similar developments in the neighbouring French territory of Guadeloupe. Rising prices and high unemployment on the French-administered Caribbean island had sparked the strike.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy had offered to hold the referendum in Martinique. Those in favour of the status quo fear that greater autonomy would mean losing subsidies from France.
COMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Europe
- 1. Pope in Easter message calls for peace and religious tolerance
- 2. Magnificent Messi leads Barcelona to ninth straight win
- 3. Pope leads Easter vigil, calls for "true enlightenment"
- 4. Barcelona increase pressure on Real with romp in Zaragoza
- 5. Pope Benedict XVI leads Easter Vigil
Older Talkback
