Rivière-Pilote (Martinica), 1936

By Adriana Veríssimo

Elected president of the Regional Council of Martinique in 1998, Alfred Marie-Jeanne was born in Rivière-Pilote in 1936. The son of a maid, he completed his basic education in his hometown. He earned a scholarship for high school at the Schoelcher Lyceum in Fort-de-France. He graduated with a degree in mathematics. After two years of study at the Normal School, he obtained his teaching degree. In the 1970s, he earned a master’s degree in economic sciences from the University of the Antilles and Guiana.

In 1971, Alfred Marie-Jeanne began his political career by winning the municipal elections in Rivière-Pilote. A supporter of left-wing ideas, he founded, in 1973, the movement La Parole au Peuple (The Word to the People), which transformed in 1978 into the Movement for the Independence of Martinique (MIM). He is famous for being a captivating speaker and possessing undeniable charisma. He is considered the representative of nationalism in Martinique.

In January 2000, he launched the Martinique Project in the Council, which aimed to initially gain the status of an autonomous overseas region, with a fiscal and social system suited to its needs. He served as president of the Regional Council of Martinique from March 1998 to March 2010. He is also a member of the French National Assembly.