France's new Prime Minister announced on Tuesday that the provincial election in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia has been postponed for a year. This decision comes amidst escalating tensions between white settler communities and pro-independence Kanak people in the region.
The postponement of the election, originally scheduled for December, was accompanied by the rejection of a controversial bill proposed by President Emmanuel Macron to amend the constitution regarding voting lists in New Caledonia. The Indigenous Kanak people expressed concerns that changes to the voting registry would disadvantage them in favor of recent arrivals to the archipelago.
The adoption of the voter list bill in May led to mass demonstrations by pro-independence groups, resulting in violent clashes and a state of emergency declared by Macron. Thirteen people, mostly Kanaks, and two police officers have lost their lives, with nearly 3,000 arrests made since the unrest began in May.
Prime Minister Barnier acknowledged the severity of the crisis in New Caledonia and pledged to address the issues early next year through a government committee focusing on France's overseas territories. The primary concern will be alleviating the high cost of living that impacts residents in these territories across the Indian Ocean, the Pacific, and the Caribbean.
Recent violent protests in Martinique over the high cost of living have further highlighted the challenges faced by France's overseas territories. The government dispatched special anti-riot police to quell the unrest on the Caribbean island, where demonstrations were prohibited in certain areas.
Expressing solidarity with the people of New Caledonia, Prime Minister Barnier assured that the state and his government would stand by their side during this tumultuous period. New Caledonia's history as a French territory since 1853, coupled with the longstanding aspirations of Kanak people for independence due to historical injustices, underscores the complexity of the current situation.
