Three former prime ministers, Manuel Valls, Jean-Marc Ayrault, and Edouard Philippe, have all agreed that the issue of New Caledonia needs to be taken over by Matignon, the French government, as the territory is facing a dual political and economic crisis that is causing growing concerns. These former prime ministers were called to testify before the National Assembly by Nicolas Metzdorf, a figure of the loyalist right in Nouméa and a member of the Renaissance group in the parliament. They emphasized the need for the government to step in and address the situation in New Caledonia, especially with regards to the constitutional reform of the electoral system.
The proposed constitutional reform is aimed at expanding the electoral body for the upcoming provincial elections in New Caledonia. However, the independence movement is calling for the withdrawal of the reform, fearing that adding 25,000 new voters born in New Caledonia since 1998 or residing there for ten years could potentially disrupt the fragile political-ethnic balance in the territory. The outcome of these provincial elections will determine the power dynamics between the non-independence and independence factions, with the latter currently leading the New Caledonian government since 2021.
Edouard Philippe, the former prime minister who handled the New Caledonia dossier before it was transferred to other ministers, refrained from directly criticizing the current Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, who is overseeing the organization of the upcoming elections and the future status of the territory. However, Philippe made it clear that the New Caledonia issue should fall under the prerogative of the prime minister. During his visit to the territory in March, Philippe noted that while both sides still aspire to reach a political agreement to build on the Nouméa Accord of 1998, achieving consensus is becoming increasingly challenging given the government’s approach.
Manuel Valls, another former prime minister, echoed Philippe’s sentiments and advocated for Matignon, the French government, to take control of the situation in New Caledonia. Valls highlighted the historical significance of Matignon in brokering major agreements in the territory, such as the Matignon Accords in 1988 and the Nouméa Accord in 1998. He stressed the importance of involving the central government in resolving the current crisis, rather than leaving everything to the discretion of the President. The call for stronger government intervention in New Caledonia’s issues comes amidst the growing uncertainty and tension surrounding the upcoming elections.
Overall, the consensus among the former prime ministers and other political figures is that Matignon should play a more active role in addressing the crisis in New Caledonia and guiding the territory towards a peaceful and sustainable solution. The proposed constitutional reform, which aims to expand the electoral body, has sparked concerns among the independence movement, who fear a potential shift in power dynamics. The need for a more proactive approach from the French government underscores the complexities and challenges faced in New Caledonia, as various parties vie for influence and control in the territory. The upcoming provincial elections and the subsequent political developments will be crucial in shaping the future of New Caledonia and determining its path towards greater autonomy or independence.
