French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced greater autonomy for the island of Martinique, four months after the end of a six-week general strike on the Caribbean island, according to dpa. "I will consult the people of Martinique on the development of the institutions of their region, as the constitution allows me," Sarkozy said at a visit to the overseas department. "The people of Martinique will be able to decide freely the way they want to go," he added. Instead of the French regional elections of 2010, the politicians on the island want a referendum over autonomy. Complete independence, and with it an end to French subsidies, is not being sought. "As along as I am president, the question of Martinique's independence, that is separation from France, will not be broached," said Sarkozy, confirming that the debate was on the extent of autonomy. In July 2003, Sarkozy as interior minister had attempted to put through an autonomy statute for Corsica, which was defeated in a referendum. The inhabitants of Martinique and Guadeloupe also voted against regional reform in a referendum in 2003.
