French president Francois Hollande speaks during the "Caribbean Climate" Summit on May 9, 2015, in Fort-de-France, Martinique, as part of a five-day visit to the Caribbean, including Martinique, Guadeloupe, Cuba and Haiti. At right, French assembly president Claude Bartolone and (3-L), President of the local regional council Serge Letchimy. AFP PHOTO/ ALAIN JOCARD/POOL (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Martinique, as an overseas department of France, does not have presidents or prime ministers of its own. Instead, it is governed under the French political system, with local leadership roles such as Presidents of the Executive Council and General Council, and Deputies or Senators representing the island in the French Parliament.
Key Past Leaders in Martinique’s Local Government
Presidents of the Executive Council of Martinique
(The Executive Council is similar to a regional government body)
Name
Term
Notable Facts
Serge Letchimy
2021–present
Current President of the Executive Council; also a deputy in the French National Assembly.
Alfred Marie-Jeanne
2015–2021
First President of the new Collectivité Territoriale de Martinique (CTM), a merged regional and departmental government. Strong advocate for Martinique autonomy.
(Position created in 2015 after restructuring of local governance.)
Presidents of the Regional Council (before 2015)
Name
Term
Notable Facts
Serge Letchimy
2010–2015
Former mayor of Fort-de-France; promoted economic development and education.
Alfred Marie-Jeanne
1998–2010
Long-standing nationalist figure and pro-autonomy leader.
Camille Darsières
1983–1992
Also a deputy in the French Parliament. Prominent lawyer and intellectual.
Presidents of the General Council (now merged)
Name
Term
Notable Facts
Josette Manin
2011–2015
First woman to lead the General Council of Martinique. Later became a deputy in the French National Assembly.
Claude Lise
1992–2011
Held leadership for nearly 20 years; also a senator in France. Prominent figure in Martinican politics.
Representation in French National Politics
Several Martinican politicians have served as:
Deputies in the National Assembly
Senators in the French Senate
Ministers in the French Government
Notable National Figures
Name
Role
Notes
Aimé Césaire
Mayor of Fort-de-France (1945–2001), French Deputy
Legendary poet, politician, and founder of the Négritude movement.
Césaire’s legacy
Shaped Martinican identity and resistance to colonialism.
Josette Manin
Deputy (2017–2022)
First woman from Martinique elected to the French National Assembly.
