Brian McDonald
Paris — While most of France is still reeling from President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement of early elections, in the sprawling French Pacific territory of New Caledonia, many people breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday. Macron announced that he was “suspending” proposed legislation that would extend voting rights to non-Indigenous residents.
The plan to change electoral rules sparked violent protests last month, leaving nine dead, hundreds injured and causing considerable material damage. The unrest even attracted a rare personal visit from Macron to the territory, which is about 16,000 kilometers away from the French mainland. Hundreds of tourists were stranded for days as clashes forced the closure of the airport in the capital Nouméa.
At a press conference in Paris on Wednesday, the French leader said his decision on New Caledonia was taken to “give every opportunity for dialogue and a return to order” in the territory.
DELPHINE MAYEUR/AFP/Getty
The bill aimed at reforming voter eligibility in New Caledonia was approved by both chambers of the French parliament in April and was scheduled to be presented to a joint session of both chambers before June 30 to gain final approval and make it’s law. However, as Macron dissolved the lower house, the National Assembly, on Sunday, when he announced the upcoming elections, he cannot summon deputies to hold the necessary joint session.
“There can be no ambiguity during this period,” declared Macron in his statements on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, the Kanak Liberation Party, led by members of the indigenous people of New Caledonia, said that “our priority now must be the rebuilding of peace and social ties”.
France has ruled New Caledonia since the 1800s, when it was a global imperial power, but many Kanaks still resent Paris’ power over their islands and want greater autonomy or independence.
Many were concerned that extending voting rights to New Caledonian residents who are not citizens, many of whom are from mainland France or elsewhere in Europe, would further reduce their influence in the archipelago. Kanaks now make up just 41% of the population.
There have been several referendums in New Caledonia over the years on the question of independence from France. All failed, and many Kanaks believe this is due, at least in part, to the fact that the majority of voters are non-Kanak and have stronger ties to the French mainland.
Last month’s violence was some of the worst since the archipelago’s major political crisis in the 1980s. In one incident in 1988, 21 people were killed during a long hostage-taking.
bol co
jogo de terror online
novela sbt ao vivo
wishlist
musica terra seca
taça png
