Gabriel Attal attended a meeting with liaison committees regarding the situation in New Caledonia at Matignon in Paris on May 17, 2024. The New Caledonia issue has now landed on Gabriel Attal’s desk, at the request of Emmanuel Macron. The Prime Minister had previously kept his distance from the affairs of the archipelago, known for being extremely complex. However, those close to him describe him as someone who does not shy away from challenges and has recently taken on a more serious tone in dealing with the situation. The recent unrest in Noumea following the examination and vote on the constitutional revision of the electoral body of the archipelago by Parliament on May 15, led to President Macron putting the young Prime Minister in the forefront.
As a result, Gabriel Attal, along with Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, is tasked with restoring dialogue with the independentist and loyalist representatives of New Caledonia. The government is now taking the lead in seeking a resolution through negotiations, despite calls for caution by experts who warn against rushing through such a sensitive issue. By putting Gabriel Attal in the spotlight on the New Caledonian stage, Emmanuel Macron is attempting to rectify a previous misstep. Previously, the handling of the New Caledonia dossier had been the responsibility of Matignon, but since 2020 and the departure of Edouard Philippe, the President had entrusted it to his Ministers of the Overseas Territories, Sebastian Lecornu and then Gerald Darmanin.
During hearings at the National Assembly at the end of April and early May, former Prime Ministers Manuel Valls, Jean-Marc Ayrault, and Edouard Philippe expressed concerns about the situation in New Caledonia and called for the Prime Minister’s office to take charge of the dossier once again. This was seen as a matter of tradition and memory for the Kanak people, as emphasized by Manuel Valls in criticizing the “new world” approach of the Macron administration that seeks to change everything. However, one challenge remains: Gabriel Attal, at 35 years old, has limited knowledge of New Caledonia as he has never visited the territory. Despite this, he has been actively engaging with experts and advisors to quickly get up to speed on the complex issues at hand.
In an effort to familiarize himself with the intricacies of the New Caledonia situation, Gabriel Attal has been holding meetings, phone calls, and discussions with experts and advisors. He has sought guidance from individuals such as Alain Christnacht, a former advisor during the Noumea Accord, and had lunch with former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe. While his lack of firsthand experience may pose a challenge, Attal is making strides to address the urgent needs of the situation. As negotiations continue and tensions remain high in New Caledonia, the government under the leadership of Gabriel Attal and Gerald Darmanin is aiming to find a swift and peaceful resolution to the crisis, amidst calls for caution and thorough consideration from experts.
