FORT DE FRANCE, Martinique, CMC – Voters in the French countries of Martinique and French Guiana have overwhelmingly rejected a proposal that would give local government more autonomy while remaining a part of France.

Preliminary reports following Sunday’s vote, showed that up to 80 per cent of voters in Martinique had rejected the plan, while in French Guiana, 70 per cent voted “no”.

Legislators say the two countries missed an opportunity that would have allowed them to make decisions in areas such as development, education and employment.

“Martinique and French Guiana missed a date with history and passed alongside a reform that would have allowed them to better understand their future,” said Claude Lise, president of Martinique’s General Council, one of two legislative bodies.

But those who opposed the proposal said the referendum was neither the opportunity nor the solution to emerge from tough economic times.

The measures were also opposed by the Progressive Martinique Party founded by the late Aime Cesaire,

The ballot measure in each of the two French Caribbean departments called for giving local government more administrative leeway with President Nicolas Sarkozy deciding on the extent of the autonomy.

One legislator, Alfred Almont, said he supported the decision of the voters because Martinique could not accept a proposal without some guarantee of what autonomy it would receive.

The proposed Article 74 would have replaced Article 73 of the constitution, which has governed the political status of Martinique and French Guiana as French departments for 64 years.

The referendum was a first for French Guiana, while Martinique rejected a similar measure six years ago.

Voters will now decide on January 24 whether to support the creation of a local authority that will combine the existing general and regional councils that govern each department.

The referendum came one year after violent strikes paralysed the French islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe for more than a month as union leaders demanded higher wages and lower prices.

President Sarkozy suggested the referendum last June following the strikes, saying the status of France’s overseas departments was based on an “unfair, obscure and biased” system.

Guadeloupe did not participate in the referendum.