The article discusses the ongoing political situation in New Caledonia regarding the expansion of the electoral body for the upcoming provincial elections. The Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, defended his proposal to extend voting rights to 25,000 citizens born in New Caledonia or who have been residents for ten years. The bill has faced opposition from independence groups and criticism in Parliament but is set to be voted on by deputies on May 13. Despite several attempts to reach a political agreement on the territory’s future status, a resolution has not been reached.
The delegation to the Overseas Territories of the National Assembly has released an opinion on the matter, agreeing that expanding the electoral body is necessary for legal and democratic reasons. However, there are differences of opinion among the members, with some advocating for delaying the constitutional project while others plan to vote in favor. The lawmakers have also called for the establishment of an impartial mission to facilitate negotiations between the parties involved with the aim of reaching a comprehensive agreement. This request for mediation comes from the independence movement, specifically the FLNKS.
The FLNKS has accused Minister Darmanin of misrepresenting their stance on the issue, citing a document signed by FLNKS members indicating that they had not agreed to the proposed residency requirement of ten years for voting eligibility. The group has criticized Darmanin for supposedly breaking the tradition of state impartiality in dealing with New Caledonia. They have called for the involvement of the presidents of the National Assembly and the Senate in the mediation process. This demand for a neutral mediator reflects the FLNKS’s frustration with the lack of progress in reaching a resolution on the territory’s political future.
The issue of electoral reform in New Caledonia is further complicated by the upcoming local elections scheduled for December. The four members of the National Assembly delegation have outlined a recommendation for the establishment of an impartial mission to assist in negotiations between the different parties involved in the dispute. While there is consensus on the need for an expanded electoral body, there are diverging views on the best approach to resolving the political impasse. The upcoming vote on the constitutional bill will be a critical moment in determining the future direction of New Caledonia’s political landscape.
