Macron postpones electoral reform in New Caledonia that sparked unrest

(Patria) - French President Emmanuel Macron said yesterday in New Caledonia that he would postpone the electoral reform that triggered deadly unrest on the island under French rule.

Speaking in the capital, Noumea, after meeting with local political leaders, Macron said his ultimate goal remained for the proposed law to pass, but only if peace is achieved on the island and broader consensus is reached on the island's future.

"I am committed to this reform not being implemented by force," Macron said.

At least six people have died in more than a week of protests over Paris's plan, which would grant voting rights to thousands of French citizens who have lived in New Caledonia for more than ten years.

France claims the measure is necessary to improve the democratic process on the island, where nearly a quarter of the population is of European descent.

Leaders of the indigenous Kanak people believe the law would weaken their voice and make a potential future independence referendum more difficult.

Macron, who arrived on the island early yesterday, said his main goal was to restore peace, regain control of areas affected by violence, and initiate political dialogue.

"In the coming hours and days, major new operations will be scheduled where necessary, and the republican order will be fully re-established, because there is no other choice," Macron said during a meeting with the island's political and business leaders.

Given that the island is under a state of emergency, Macron said that an additional 3,000 security personnel would remain even during the Olympic Games in Paris, if necessary.

"I personally believe that the state of emergency should not be extended," Macron said, adding that it would only be lifted once protesters remove barricades from the roads.

Protesters fear that the electoral reform, already passed by lawmakers in mainland France about 16,000 kilometers away, will dilute the votes of the indigenous Kanaks, who make up 40 percent of the island's population of 270,000 people, and make it harder to pass any future independence referendum.

In all three independence referendums, held in 2018, 2020, and 2021, residents voted to remain part of France. However, the independence movement boycotted the last vote and announced it did not intend to accept the results.

Given that this is a constitutional reform, its adoption requires a meeting of both houses of parliament, and Macron has yet to announce a date for it.