Politics of Mayotte

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politics and government of
Mayotte

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Politics of Mayotte takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic French overseas collectivity, whereby the President of the General Council is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. The status of Mayotte was changed in 2001 towards one very close to the status of the départements of mainland France, with the particular designation of collectivité départementale, although the island is still claimed by the Comoros. This change was approved by 73% at a referendum on Mayotte. After the constitutional reform of 2003 it became a collectivité d'outre-mer while keeping the title collectivité départementale de Mayotte.

Executive branch

The head of state is the President of France as represented by prefect Thomas Degos. The head of government is President of the General Council Daniel Zaidani.

Legislative branch

The General Council (Conseil Général) has 19 members, elected for a three year term in single seat constituencies.

Political parties and elections

For other political parties see List of political parties in Mayotte. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Mayotte.
 Summary of the 21 March and 28 March 2004 General Council of Mayotte election results
Parties Votes % Seats
Mahoré Departementalist Movement (Mouvement Départementaliste Mahorais) 23.3 6
Union for a Popular Movement (Union pour un Mouvement Populaire) 22.8 9
Socialist Party (Parti Socialiste) 10.2 -
Citizen and Republican Movement (Mouvement Républicain et Citoyen) 8.9 2
Force of the Rally and the Alliance for Democracy (Force de Rassemblement et d'Alliance pour le Progrès) 6.5 -
Mahoré People's Movement (Mouvement populaire mahorais) 1.2 1
Diverse Left . 1
Total   19
Source: Jerome Sterkers quoting main French newspapers