After the French Constitutional Council approved laws n°2007-223 and n°2007-224 concerning the new political status of France's overseas territories, the laws very signed on February 21, 2007 by president Jacques Chirac, and several officials at that time, including prime minister Dominique de Villepin, interior minister Nicolas Sarkozy, foreign affairs minister Philippe Douste-Blazy, economic, finance and industry minister Thierry Breton, justice minister Pascal Clément, and overseas minister François Baroin. The two laws establish St. Barthélemy and the French side of St. Martin into two different Overseas Collectivities, or COMs, as per article 74 of the constitution, and separating them administratively from Guadeloupe.
These two laws confirm the referendum of December 7, 2003, which proved the desire of the voters in the Northern Islands to evolve toward a special status different from that of a town. The officials of the new collectivities in St. Barth and St. Martin now have a freer hand to manage an important part of their public affairs. France now has six Overseas Collecivities including Polynesia, Wallis & Futuna, St. Pierre & Miquelon, Mayotte, St. Barth, and St. Martin, each with a specific status and different degree of autonomy.
In adopting the two laws, the French Constitutional Council confirmed the legality of the concept of a fixed residency on the island for a minimum of five years before becoming a fiscal resident of the COM. There will also be the creation of two parliamentary seats for the islands. The election of the two senators should take place during the three months following the election of the new territorial councils, so that the next three-year renewal of the Senate will count 333 seats rather than 331. As for the two new representatives, their election will take place in 2012 after legislative redistricting.
The new COM will be run by a territorial council— which has a president— an executive council, and an advisory economic, social, and cultural council. The territorial council replaces the current municipal council. In St. Martin, there will be 23 members, with 19 in St. Barth. They will be elected with a two- tiered process in which the two lists that come out ahead in a primary will be the two candidates in the run off. Their term is five years. The territorial council takes over the role of the former municipal council as well as certain regional and departmental issues. Certain laws can be adapted to the particular needs of the COM. This idea of adaptability does not apply in certain areas such as penal law, monetary and banking law, business law, assurance law, and social laws. The COM will benefit from a transfer of competence from the federal government in terms of local taxes, work permist for foreigners, and tourism, for example, and after 2012 in the areas of urbanism and energy, adapted to its specific needs.
The president of the territorial council has the powers of a mayor, as well as the president of a regional and departmental council. In contrast to a mayor, whose job finishes at the end of his term or if he resigns, the president of the territorial council can be removed by the vote of at least one-third of the members of the council.
The executive council also represents the opposition and is composed of seven members elected from within the territorial council: the president, four vice-presidents, and two council members.
The economic, social, and cultural council, which offers participation to non-political figures on the island, acts in an advisory capacity. They must be consulted on all economic, social, cultural, and budgetary actions.
The election of the new council must take place in the six months following the adoption of these laws. In light of a busy spring with French presidential and legislative elections on the calendar, local officials hope for confirmation of local elections on July 1 and 8.
Beyonce and Jay-Z have taken their daughter on her first vacation. The couple, who celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary last week, have been enjoying the sunshine on the Caribbean island of St. Barts with three-month-old Blue Ivy over the weekend, and took the tot for a day trip on a yacht.
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Kick-off Les Voiles de Saint Barth 2012 Caribbean regatta in the magical French West Indies sailing paradise!
Today the prestigious and top-class Caribbean sailing regatta Les Voiles de St. Barth 2012 with Gaastra Sportswear as the official partner starts: At the third edition run...
Inside the Bucket.
This video features the 2012 St Barths Bucket Regatta and music by the Evan Goodrow Band. Special thanks to the entire crew of the Rebecca, Baz Bar, St Barths Online and the guys from the Evan Goodrow Band for putting on a fantastic show. The song from the Evan Goodrow Band is c...
On board with Rebecca.
The best event in St Barths took place on March 24 - 27, 2012. This video features the beautiful 141 ft sailing yacht, The Rebecca.
produced by Real Media Travel for St. Barths Online and Baz Bar St Barth.
The age old saying of "I need a holiday to get over my holiday" actually seems applicable if you happen to be Paul McCartney.
The Beatle took wife Nancy Shevell on a romantic break to the Caribbean island of St Barts, just days after the pair visited Paris.
Last week, the lovebirds showed support ...
On the day their pregnancy news was announced, Thor star Chris Hemsworth, 28, and Elsa Pataky, 35, were seen in sunny St. Barts, France on Wednesday (January 18). The Fast Five actress looked lovely in blue, sporting her beautiful baby bump.
Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky
Chris and Elsa - w...
She might be 44, but Tamara Mellon still boasts a figure that women half her age would be proud of.
The Jimmy Choo co-founder showed off her toned figure in a sexy animal-print bikini as she hit the beach with her daughter in St Barts yesterday.
The skimpy string two-piece highlighted Tamara's env...
With almost every other celebrity couple enjoying the New Year in exotic locations, Gary and Danielle Lineker weren't going to be any different.
The married couple were spotted enjoying a romantic walk along a beach in St Barts today - and looked very much in love.
Gary, 51 and his wife, 32, had o...
Which beaches to choose?
The glamorous island of St Barts is one of the Caribbean's top beach destinations. Ringing the island are immaculate strips of sand and ethereal turquoise waters. The shallow reefs that encircle the island help to protect these renowned beaches, and they also provide excell...
St. Barts, Why Not?
Since the wealthy and celebrated frequently visit St. Barts for a tropical vacation, you will find that many plush St. Barts Resorts can be found on this stunning island. For those taking St. Barts holidays, it is simple to find hotels with each luxury available. Frequently thes...
Vacation With the Rich and Famous at St. Barts.
Want to bump into celebrities and be seen hanging out where the rich and famous play? Then the Caribbean island of St. Barts is the place to be.
While warm sand and blue waters do make an ideal vacation location, this destination has that and a whol...
Where to go for one day in Caribbean?
St. Maarten / St. Martin
The half-Dutch, half-French island of St. Maarten/St. Martin, with its many restaurants and hotels, makes a great base for an island-hopping adventure. Graced by the nickname Unspoiled Queen, tiny little Saba is not the kind of Caribbe...
Villa La Plage in St Barts.
The posh French resort isle of St. Barth's was already a prize destination when Roman Abramovich purchased an estate there for $89 million in 2009; since the oligarch arrived it has become even more so.
Now Christie's International Real Estate has listed another impres...
Baywatch in St Barts.
Making it official after five years of engagement, Brooke Burke and beau David Charvet have reportedly tied the knot while yachting in St. Barts.
According to Life & Style, the "Dancing with the Stars" host and the former "Baywatch" hunk, who have been vacationing in the...
St. Barth Summer Sessions Aug. 5-15, 2011
St Barth Summer Sessions 2011 this year will have a focus on artists from Brazil. The festival will take place at a variety of different venues all over the island, and in the end of the festival there will be a big common concert in the Harbor of Gustavia ...
The Eclipse, no ordinary yacht.
It probably hasn't escaped your attention that, with modern methods of transport, measuring and telecommunication, no "terra incognita" is safe from the crazed enthusiasm of certain explorers of scientists. Everything has already been discovered and minutely placed o...
Ashley Rodriguez Trio
Ashley Rodriguez, one of the famous finalist from the American Idol 2010 is back in St Barth between May 5-15. Ashley was participating last summer for the St Barth Summer Session in august 2010 at La Plage and she will now come with her 'All Girls Band', Liz on the guitar ...
The La Plage restaurant introduce :
ST BARTH SUMMER SESSIONS
« 5 to 15 august 2010, 10 days of crazy music ! »
Festival program
La Plage St Jean Tel: 0590 52 81 33 Email: tombeach@wanadoo.fr Site: www.stbarthsummersessions.com
THE GREAT FISH DEBATE There seems to be a bone of contention among a few of my friends. Fine folks who love some of the finer things in life, such as Dover Sole That flat fish floating in butter and capers. Known in French as Sole Meunière, it is made from what is called in European fisherman ver...
