The inhabitants are French citizens and their language and currency are both French. Both were also designated as r gions in 1974, which increased their local political and economic autonomy, and most affairs, apart from defence and security, are now broadly under local control. Martinique tends towards the left of mainstream French politics. In the 1995 French Presidential election Martinique was the only overseas territory which voted for the socialist candidate Lionel Jospin. Its main preoccupation is the island s economy which is propped up by France.
Unemployment is high and emigration has become the norm for young people.
Elections in 1992 were re-run in 1994 because of irregularities in the payment of electoral deposits. Both d partement s have small independence movements but most recognize the extent to which the islands present standard of living is dependent on union with France and content themselves with seeking further autonomy without independence. Historical summary Columbus was the first known European to find Martinique and Guadeloupe, at the turn of the 15 th century. He claimed the islands for Spain, but there was no subsequent Spanish settlement and it was not until 1635 that French settlers came to the islands from St Kitts. The islands Carib inhabitants put up fierce resistance but by the end of the 17 th century they had been more or less wiped out.