France’s Macron delays New Caledonia voting reform after protests
Al Jazeera
President Emmanuel Macron meets political leaders on French-ruled Pacific island, says changes won’t be implemented ‘by force’.
French President Emmanuel Macron says he will delay a voting reform in New Caledonia that the Indigenous Kanak people on the French-ruled Pacific islands say would dilute their votes and undermine their struggle for independence.
Speaking on Thursday in New Caledonia’s capital, Noumea, after meeting local political leaders, Macron said his ultimate aim still was to sign the measure into law but only if peace returned and a broader pact on the island’s future could be forged.
“I am committed to ensuring that this reform will not be implemented by force,” he said in front of the French High Commission building.
Six people, including three young Kanaks, have been killed and about 280 people arrested since protests broke out a week and a half ago over the plans that would allow thousands more French residents who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years or more to vote.
Paris says the measure is needed to improve democracy. Almost a quarter of the population identifies as European, mainly French.
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