 The Saarland would however have to remain in economic union with France.Despite the endorsement of the statute by West Germany, the Saarlanders rejected it in a referendum by a 67.7% majority.Despite French pre-referendum assertions that a no to the statute would simply result in the Saarland remaining in its previous status as a French-controlled territory, the claim of the "no" campaign group that it would lead to unification with West Germany turned out to be correct.