Sources: Le Figaro and Guadeloupe public holidays. A ceremony was held last week to officialize the new status the islands of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint Martin, previously communes of Guadeloupe. Following a 2003 referendum, and its implementation in February 2007 by France's parliament, the 2 islands have now been granted the TOM (Territoire d'Outre-Mer) status meaning that they can pass territorial laws, control their fiscal policy, choose to stay in, or leave the EU (the European Union), and declare their own public holidays.Analysis: For the moment, Saint-Barthélemy looks like it might opt to leave the EU, but neither island has hinted that it would make any changes to the public holidays observed, which we can assume will remain those of Guadeloupe for the time being.
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