An overseas collectivity is hereby established to replace, on the territory of the French part of the island of Saint-Martin and the islets that depend on it, the commune of Saint-Martin, the department of Guadeloupe and the region of Guadeloupe.
This overseas collectivity, governed by l’article 74 of the Constitution, takes the name of: “collectivité de Saint-Martin”. It is granted autonomy.
The collectivity of Saint-Martin shall be administered freely by its elected representatives and by local referendum, under the conditions laid down by the present code.
The Republic guarantees the autonomy of Saint-Martin and respect for its own interests, taking into account its geographical, historical and cultural specificities.