Pierre Samot, ex-craftsman mason, building entrepreneur and founder of the “Building the Country Martinique” movement in 1998 went to his home in Lamentin this afternoon (June 14, 2024).
Who was Pierre-Jean Samot?
Pierre-Jean Samot (21 August 1934 – 14 June 2024) was a politician from Martinique. He was Mayor of Le Lamentin from 1989 to 2018. In the 2002 French legislative election he was elected to the National Assembly from Martinique’s 3rd constituency. However, his election was invalidated by the Constitutional Council on 27 February 2003 and he was replaced by his substitute Philippe Edmond-Mariette.
First mandate under the leadership of Georges Gratiant
Marked by the social cause at a very young age, he joined the Martinique Communist Party in 1952 and campaigned alongside Pierre Zobda Quitman. He experienced the role of elected official as a municipal councilor in Georges Gratiant’s team.
These men presented as builders: Georges Gratiant (1907-1992) and Pierre Zobda-Quitman (1923-1987), respectively mayor and first deputy of the town of Lamentin for around thirty years, instilled in him the essence of politics, the importance of social work, dialogue with the masses, listening to those administered.
1980, year of the big launch in politics
His charisma did not escape Georges Gratiant who made him his deputy from 1983 to 1989. It was just after that that he was elected mayor of Lamentin. His election as general councilor in 1987 allowed Martinique voters to discover “his capacity for work and his loyalty”, say his supporters.
In 1995, the Lamentin town hall public procurement affair caused a lot of noise. Pierre Samot is indicted for favoritism and influence peddling and placed in detention for a few days. He won the municipal elections with nearly 85% of the votes.
The advent of Building the Country Martinique
In 1998, following disagreements on the political line with Georges Erichot, general secretary of the Martinique Communist Party, he clarified his vision and founded with a few dissidents his own party “Building the Martinique country”.
With 84% of the votes, he managed to get re-elected mayor.
He left his mark on the regional elections by obtaining 4 seats and bringing his votes to Alfred Marie-Jeanne during the election of the President of the Assembly.
Elected deputy at the expense of the secretary of the PPM
On June 16, 2002, Pierre Samot was elected deputy in the 3rd constituency of Martinique. He leaves Camille Darsieres ( Martiniquais Progressive Party ). His election was invalidated a few months later on February 27, 2003, he was replaced by his deputy Philippe Edmond-Mariette.
A giant of Martinican political life
At the regional elections in March 2004, his list, “Alliance for the Martinique country” merged in the second round with that led by Madeleine Degrandmaison of the PPM. He was again elected regional councilor.
During the municipal elections of March 2008, Pierre Samot was re-elected at the age of 74 for a 4th term in the first round.
