Title: First Government Backed by Independent Leader in Nouvelle-Calédonie Collapses
The first government in Nouvelle-Calédonie led by a independence supporter has fallen, following the resignation of members of the pro-French ‘Calédonie Ensemble’ movement on Tuesday amidst an economic and social crisis exacerbated by recent unrest.
AFP reports that "Calédonie Ensemble", aligned with French President Emmanuel Macron‘s Renaissance party, had criticized the Mapuhura government for becoming an independent organ. Other groups, including the Pacific Awakening, Republican Rally, and Loyalists, had been criticizing the government’s recovery policies for weeks.
This is the 17th government in the southern Pacific Ocean archipelago since the 1998 Nouméa Accord transferred some state powers to local politicians. Governments are appointed by Congress via list voting, and a collective resignation is required for a government to fall.
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The first government in Nouvelle-Calédonie backed by an independence leader has collapsed, highlighting the region’s ongoing political tensions and economic challenges.
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Article:
In a significant political shift, the first government in Nouvelle-Calédonie led by a supporter of independence has collapsed, following the resignation of members of the pro-French ‘Calédonie Ensemble’ movement. The move comes amidst an ongoing economic and social crisis in the French territory, which has been exacerbated by recent unrest.
The exit of ‘Calédonie Ensemble’ members, who are aligned with French President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party, leaves the Mapuhura government in disarray. ‘Calédonie Ensemble’ had been critical of the government’s handling of the crisis and its transformation into an independent organ. Other political groups, including the Pacific Awakening, Republican Rally, and Loyalists, have also been vocal in their criticism of the government’s recovery policies.
This collapse marks the 17th government in the southern Pacific Ocean archipelago since the 1998 Nouméa Accord, which transferred some state powers to local politicians. Under the accord, governments are appointed by the Congress via list voting. A collective resignation is required for a government to fall, setting the stage for potentially protracted political negotiations.
The government’s collapse highlights the deep political divisions in Nouvelle-Calédonie, where tensions between pro-independence Kanak indigenous peoples and pro-French settlers have long simmered. The territory’s economic challenges, including high unemployment and inequality, have further inflamed these tensions.
As France’s overseas territories minister, Manuel Valls will now oversee efforts to stabilize Nouvelle-Calédonie’s political situation. Valls, a former prime minister, was chosen by Macron for his expertise in Nouvelle-Calédonie and his experience managing crises. The appointment is seen as a signal of the government’s commitment to addressing challenges in France’s overseas territories.
Macron has faced criticism for allegedly neglecting France’s overseas territories and for slow responses to crises in the past. The violence in Nouvelle-Calédonie last spring was followed by Cyclone Chilo, which devastated the territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean. The political instability in Nouvelle-Calédonie will test Macron’s resolve to address these long-standing issues.
