As Martinique enters the home stretch of the municipal elections scheduled for March 15 and 22, 2026, an op-ed by Mr. Florent Grabin, president of the environmental association PUMA, offers a fresh perspective. While the campaign is rife with slogans, clashes, and promises, he reminds readers that true municipal responsibilities also extend to land-use planning, urban development, the protection of coastal areas, and preparing for the consequences of climate change. In this hard-hitting piece, he challenges the candidates on what he considers a major blind spot in the public debate: the growing vulnerability of Martinique’s coastal communities and the lack, in his view, of political action commensurate with the stakes.
May the best one win !
By Florent Grabin, PUMA
Here we are at the 2026 municipal elections. More than two million documents will be distributed to the mailboxes of Martinique’s 297,722 voters. A total of 108 slates have been submitted for the first round and approved by the Prefecture of Martinique.
The City Council election is an event that mobilizes those who are constantly campaigning, with the sole goal of getting elected or re-elected. It’s also the time when all kinds of promises are made—and when every dirty trick is used to destroy the opponent.
Right now, we’re hearing speakers shouting themselves hoarse over ultra-powerful sound systems in an effort to convince households that they are the only ones capable of bringing about change.
However, upon reviewing the political campaign materials, we note that building permits, land-use planning projects, and the balance between urban development and quality of life are conspicuously absent from the platforms—even though these issues fall within the mayor’s purview.
Strangely enough, at a time when the issue of climate change—and its impact on rising sea levels—is being increasingly well-documented, even our mayors in coastal towns are not taking action on this natural phenomenon and are failing to inform their citizens!
To our great surprise, the city of Ducos and the CTM are proposing to create a Free Trade Zone in the Pays Noyer neighborhood! Have these authorities really taken the time to look into the origin of this area’s name??? Phänomenal sums of money continue to be invested in the study of this project, along with a significant intellectual effort to convince the public of the benefits of such an initiative!
À PUMA, we are stunned to see that those in positions of responsibility are focusing on such wild speculations! We believe that the people of Martinique do not deserve to be treated this way!!!
Sea levels around the globe are rising steadily, creating what the United Nations has described as a « an urgent and growing threat »for people all over the world! And here: some are demanding more power!!! For autonomy? Or for independence? How can we take seriously authorities that continue to bury their heads in the sand? Is this respectful toward our people? This attitude is rather troubling!
It is essential to remember that world-renowned experts are predicting a rise of more than two meters in our Caribbean region! For Martinique, this means that all coastal municipalities are affected.
Let’s consider the case of those located on the outskirts of Fort-de-France Bay, a strategic point on the island: this is where all the administrative facilities are located (the airport, the port, all economic and tourism-related activities, etc.), as well as a large population. How can we understand why there hasn’t been a much stronger response to this predictable phenomenon?
PUMA We remain hopeful that one day a grassroots movement will emerge to compel our leaders to commission the necessary studies to determine the true cost of the work required to protect the lower-lying areas of our coastal communities. For a long time, we have proposed closing off Fort-de-France Bay with a seawall. Today, construction experts have joined us in this call.
This massive project is expected to generate tasks that will require training in various fields. Urban sprawl in urban planning, condominium ownership, relocation, or demolitions in certain areas may lead to legal disputes that will need to be resolved…
We recognize that redeveloping our region will require significant intellectual, financial, social, and economic resources: we have everything we need right here to carry out this project.
As for the various candidates in the municipal elections—some of whom only wake up the day before the election—we can tell them in no uncertain terms: “It’s not up to you to decide who wins or loses!” And may the best candidate win. Pfor Unot MArtinique Aotherwise.
You don't put the meal on the stove just because you're hungry.
In short, you need to plan ahead and not wait until the last minute to take action.
Florent GRABIN, on behalf of the environmental organization PUMA
