Government and Politics of Martinique

Government Type

NA

Administrative Divisions

none (overseas department of France)

Legal System

French legal system

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive Branch

chief of state: President of France Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017); Prefect Jean-Christophe BOUVIER (since 2021) head of government: President of the Territorial Collectivity Serge LETCHIMY (since December 2021); note - Martinique became a single Territorial Collectivity in December 2015, replacing the former separate General Council and Regional Council cabinet: Executive Council elected by the Territorial Council elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; the president of the Territorial Council is elected by the members of that council

Legislative Branch

Martinique's legislative structure underwent a significant reform in 2015, when the previously separate General Council (Conseil Général) and Regional Council (Conseil Régional) were merged into a single body, the Territorial Council (Conseil Territorial de Martinique). This unified assembly has 51 seats and is led by a President elected from among its members. Members of the Territorial Council are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms. The most recent territorial elections were held in June 2021, resulting in a victory for the Martinican independence-leaning coalition led by Serge Letchimy of the Martinican Progressive Party (PPM), which secured a majority of seats. As an overseas region and department of France, Martinique also sends elected representatives to the French Parliament. Martinique elects four deputies to the French National Assembly, with the most recent elections held in June 2022. Martinique is also represented by two senators in the French Senate, with the most recent senatorial elections held in September 2023. These representatives participate fully in French national legislative affairs, reflecting Martinique's status as an integral part of the French Republic.

Judicial Branch

Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel

Political Parties

Martinique Communist Party or PCM [Georges ERICHOT]; Martinique Independence Movement or MIM [Alfred MARIE-JEANNE]; Martinique Progressive Party or PPM [Pierre SUEDILE]; Martinique Socialist Party or PMS [Ernest WAN-AJOUHU]; Movement of Democrats and Ecologists for a Sovereign Martinique or Modemas [Garcin MALSA]; Rally for the Republic or RPR [Michel CHARLONE]; Socialist Revolution Group or GRS [Philippe PIERRE-CHARLES]; Union for French Democracy or UDF [Jean MAREN]

Head of State

President of France Emmanuel MACRON

Head of Government

President of the Territorial Collectivity Serge LETCHIMY (since December 2021)

Election Results

Martinique is an overseas region and department of France, which means its elections follow the French political system rather than operating as an independent nation. Residents of Martinique participate in French national elections, including presidential elections, legislative elections for the National Assembly, and elections for the European Parliament. In the 2022 French presidential election, the second round saw Emmanuel Macron win a strong majority of votes in Martinique, defeating far-right candidate Marine Le Pen. Voter turnout in the territory has historically trended lower than in metropolitan France, reflecting a degree of political disengagement among parts of the population, though civic participation remains an important issue for local leaders. At the regional level, Martinique elects a Territorial Council through its unique single governing body, the Collectivité Territoriale de Martinique (CTM), which was established in 2015 following a 2010 referendum. The CTM merged the functions of the former Regional Council and General Council into one institution. In the 2021 territorial elections, the Mouvement pour le Développement de Martinique (MPDM), led by Serge Letchimy, secured a majority, allowing Letchimy to become President of the Executive Council of Martinique. His coalition, which includes left-leaning and autonomy-oriented political forces, has shaped the territory's approach to local governance, economic development, and its relationship with metropolitan France. Martinique also sends elected representatives to Paris. The territory elects four deputies to the French National Assembly and two senators to the French Senate. These representatives advocate for Martinique's interests within the broader French legislative framework. Political debates in Martinique frequently center on questions of greater autonomy or independence from France, economic inequality, environmental concerns such as the chlordecone pesticide contamination scandal, and access to public services. These issues strongly influence local electoral campaigns and voter priorities. The territory's political landscape features a mix of parties aligned with national French parties and locally oriented movements focused specifically on Martinique's distinct cultural and economic circumstances.

Constitution

28 September 1958 (French Constitution)

Independence

none (overseas department of France)

National Holiday

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

International Organization Participation

WCL, WFTU

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

none (overseas department of France)

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

none (overseas department of France)

Capital City

Fort-de-France

U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown Wildey Business park Wildey St. Michael, Barbados Telephone: (246) 227-4399 Emergency after-hours telephone: (246) 227-4000 Facsimile: (246) 431-0179 Email: BridgetownACS@state.gov Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Barbadian and U.S. holidays.