2010 French Guianan status referendum

A referendum on becoming an autonomous overseas territory was held in French Guiana on 10 January 2010.[1] The proposal was rejected by 70% of voters who prefer full integration in the French central state. The turnout was 48%.[1] A simultaneous referendum was rejected in Martinique.[2]

2010 French Guianan status referendum
10 January 2010
Do you approve of the transformation of Guyana into an overseas territory governed by Article 74 of the Constitution, endowed with a particular organization taking into account its own interests within the Republic?
Results
Choice
 Votes  %
Yes 9,448 29.78%
No 22,281 70.22%
Valid votes 31,729 97.67%
Invalid or blank votes 757 2.33%
Total votes 32,486 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 67,460 48.16%
Politics of French Guiana

Background

French President Nicolas Sarkozy proposed the referendum after visiting the Caribbean island of Martinique in June 2009.[3] The French overseas departments of Martinique and Guadeloupe had suffered prolonged general strikes in early 2009, due to lower wages and standards of living than mainland France.[3]

French Guianan voters were asked whether they wanted more power to be given to the local government based in Cayenne.[3] French Guiana 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.[4]

Results
French Guianan status referendum, 2010
Choice Votes  %
Referendum failed Against 22,281 70.22
For 9,448 29.78
Valid votes 31729 97.67
Invalid or blank votes 757 2.33
Total votes 32,486 100.00
Registered voters/turnout 67,460 48.16
Source: Direct Democracy

References
  1. French Guiana (France), 10 January 2010: Conversion to Overseas Territory Direct Democracy (in German)
  2. Martinique (France), 10 January 2010: Conversion to Overseas Territory Direct Democracy (in German)
  3. "French Guiana and Martinique reject increased autonomy". BBC News. 2010-01-10. Retrieved 2010-01-12.
  4. La Guyane et la Martinique refusent plus d'autonomie Le Figaro, 11 January 2010
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