Macron suggests new options for New Caledonia's future status

RNZ News

20 hours ago

Demonstration in support New Caledonia against the unfreezing of the electoral body, Place de la Republique, in Paris. 25 May 2024.
Photo:
AFP / Fiora Garenzi / Hans Lucas
French President Emmanuel Macron's has unveiled a range of options regarding New Caledonia's future political status at a "New Caledonia summit" in Paris this week.
Speaking at the opening session of an open-ended forum dedicated to the French Pacific territory - but behind closed doors - Macron was reported as mentioning, as part of a range of possible options, an "associated State" status for New Caledonia, with a "strong link with France".
Other options mentioned by the French Head of State include a status quo or a "large autonomy".
However, all options would be tied to a necessary "reconstruction" and refoundation" period of "15 to 20 years" in order to rebuild New Caledonia's economic and social fabric that has been severely damaged following riots that took place in May 2024.
The riots resulted in 14 deaths and over €2 billion in material damage, triggering a downfall of an estimated 15 to 20 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and leaving thousands of people unemployed.
During the transition period, New Caledonia would be ruled by a specific "fundamental law", a de facto constitution enshrined in the French Constitution that would replace the 1998 Nouméa Accord.
At the end of the transition period, a referendum would be held to endorse a "project" for New Caledonia's socio-economic model.
France's President Emmanuel Macron, left, France's Minister of Overseas Manuel Valls, France's Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, President of the French National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet, Secretary General of the French Presidency Emmanuel Moulin, first vice-president of the customary senate of New Caledonia Ludovic Boula, representative of the second vice-president of the customary senate Victor Gogny, and President of the customary senate Aguetil Mahe Gowe attend a custom ceremony as the inauguration of a summit on New Caledonia at the Elysee Palace in Paris on 2 July 2025.
Photo:
AFP / Ludovic Marin
The presidential statements have triggered several reactions from all sides of New Caledonia's political chessboard.
On the pro-France side of parties that want New Caledonia to remain part of France, New Caledonia's Southern Province President Sonia Backès said she favoured the notion of a 15 to 20 years transitional period, but remained "totally opposed" to the notion of an associated State.
On the pro-independence side, the mention of an Associated State prompted positive, albeit cautious reactions from the main independence movement, the FLNKS (Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front).
Its chief negotiator, Emmanuel Tjibaou, during a press conference held on the margins of the summit on Thursday, told media Macron's initial speech was "interesting", especially the fact that the word "associated State" was uttered.
"We're interested in this. It commits us to a trajectory".
Tjibaou however said their camp required that all this be "put to paper, in writing".
"We remain vigilant, we need concrete and written elements (from France)", he said.
"We discuss and then we go back to our base to validate the process (...) That's how we operate".
President of the French National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet (L), France's Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, France's President Emmanuel Macron, France's Minister of Overseas Manuel Valls and President of the French Senate Gerard Larcher attend a session of a summit on New Caledonia at the Elysee Palace in Paris on 2 July 2025.
Photo:
AFP / Ludovic / Marin
But other FLNKS representatives remain doubtful that any sort of agreement would be inked, at least not this time, "even if we stay one week, two weeks, one month", said delegation member Mickaël Forrest during the same media conference.
The conference was also attended by FLNKS president Christian Téin, who attempted to join the "summit" on Wednesday but was denied access because he was not on the list of invited guests.
"(Macron) holds the keys to his house. I accept that", Téin said, adding he fully trusted the FLNKS delegation.
Téin was released from a jail in Mulhouse (North-East of France), where he spent one year, after he was arrested.
Under lighter judicial control conditions, he is now awaiting trial for criminal-related charges, but is not to interfere with persons related to his case and is still not allowed to return to New Caledonia.
Talks are still underway among delegations of political representatives, all gathered behind closed doors in a hotel in the city of Bougival (West of Paris).
There is no specified duration for the series of political meetings, which could last "as long as necessary".
New Caledonia's FLNKS chief negotiator Emmanuel Tjibaou (L) and FLNKS President Christian Téin at a media conference on 3 July 2025.
Photo:
Supplied / Outremer la 1ère
In parallel to the political talks this week in Paris, another conference is also dedicated to New Caledonia's necessary economic reform, including the crucial nickel mining industry, which is also facing a near-collapse situation.
The so-called "Economic and Social College" started on Thursday, at the French Ministry for Overseas and is expected to last until Friday.
There are four themes organised into roundtables and workshops: the reform of New Caledonia's economic and social fabric, including taxes, the nickel industry, the economy's diversification and its relations to Pacific neighbours.
The guest, State Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls, is flanked by Minister for public accounts Amélie de Montchalin.
She stressed the interdependence between economy and politics.
"While economy is essential to (New Caledonia's) success, a political agreement is also essential to the economy's rebound", she said.
Business leaders in the French Pacific territory have consistently stressed the need for "visibility", security and stability if New Caledonia was to remain attractive to existing and potential investors.
The meeting also involves politicians as well as Mayors of New Caledonia and socio-economic and civil society stakeholders.
Business leaders association MEDEF-NC leader Mimsy Daly hailed the approach, but said now was the time to "take into account New Caledonians' suffering on a daily basis."
"We hope something positive will come out of this quickly."