Nicolas Metzdorf, a loyalist deputy from New Caledonia, has called for the territory to be placed under guardianship due to the current situation. He expressed his concerns during an exchange on the MacronardsFM social media platform, criticizing the violence and riots in Nouméa and urging President Macron not to suspend the constitutional reform on the electoral body’s unfreezing. Metzdorf believes that if the president were to withdraw the text from the Congress of Versailles, it would be a political and moral defeat for the French Republic. He also stated that the solution now is for the territory to become a department for two or three years, as he feels the current situation is dire.
Metzdorf described the catastrophic situation in Nouméa, where numerous businesses have been destroyed, and accused the French state’s services of failing to anticipate the outburst of violence on May 13. He criticized the lack of intelligence on separatist activities and the involvement of foreign powers, pointing out that France lacks the means to predict such events due to its diminished status as a global power. The deputy emphasized the need for a strong response to address the ongoing unrest and restore order to the region.
The deputy also commented on Marine Le Pen’s call for a referendum on self-determination in New Caledonia, suggesting that it has caused unrest among the loyalist population who view her as a supporter. Metzdorf noted that many people feel abandoned by the French government and draw comparisons to the situation of the pieds-noirs in Algeria. The loyalists in New Caledonia are disappointed by Le Pen’s stance on the issue and feel that their loyalty to France is not being recognized or supported adequately.
Overall, Metzdorf’s remarks highlight the deep divisions and tensions in New Caledonia between loyalists and independence supporters, as well as the challenges the French government faces in maintaining order and stability in the region. The call for placing the territory under guardianship reflects the growing frustration and desperation among the loyalist population as they struggle to cope with the violence and uncertainty in their communities. It remains to be seen how the situation will evolve and whether the French government will take decisive action to address the underlying issues contributing to the unrest in New Caledonia.
