During a press conference after an express visit to New Caledonia, Emmanuel Macron made several announcements, notably promising not to go “by force” on electoral reform that has caused violent unrest.
Progress report “within a month”, “emergency”, “mediation and work mission”… Emmanuel Macron passed series of announcements in New Caledonia this Thursday, May 23, and promised quick “decisions” to try to trigger a return to “dialogue”. Here’s what you should remember from the head of state’s press briefing.
The end of the state of emergency conditioned by the lifting of blockades
Before the start of the negotiations, Emmanuel Macron “demands that all those responsible explicitly call for the lifting of blockades”. In the morning, he assessed that the state of emergency “should not be extended” beyond the legal 12 days, provided that “all the leaders” of the islands “call for the lifting of blockades”.
Without “violent” adoption of the electoral law
On the occasion of the reform of the electoral body that was rejected by the Canadians and that ignited the powder in the archipelago, Emmanuel Macron promised that he would not “forcibly” transfer this text, wanting the voice of the Caledonians in the event of a global policy agreement on the island’s institutional status.
“After listening to everyone (…) I committed that this reform will not be carried out in force today (..) and that we will give ourselves a few weeks to allow calm, the continuation of the dialogue in the light of the global agreement”, broader than the constitutional reform of the electoral body that caused the violence, he said during this press briefing.
Progress update “within a month”
Still during the press briefing, the head of state said that he had given the parties “a few additional weeks” for negotiations and pledged to provide an update on the institutional future of the archipelago “within a month.” “My wish is that this global agreement integrates our Constitution,” Emmanuel Macron said, saying he was “confident of its outcome in the coming weeks and months.”
He initially warned that Congress would be convened “by the end of June” to definitively adopt the reform if global agreement on the institutional status of the archipelago was not reached. Most of the political class is now calling for an adjournment of this Congress to calm things down.
“I also want this agreement to be submitted to the Caledonians for a vote,” he added.
“Ambulance” after “colossal” damage
Emmanuel Macron has finally promised “urgent aid” after the “colossal” damage caused by the rebels, which has hit citizens and businesses alike.