French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday he would not force through contested electoral reforms that triggered deadly riots in New Caledonia, local media reported, as he visited the French Pacific territory in a bid to ease tensions.
Violence broke out in the capital Noumea on May 13 as lawmakers in Paris debated constitutional changes that would expand voting rights in New Caledonia’s provincial elections to French residents who have lived in the archipelago for 10 years.
The reform was passed by the French National Assembly on May 15, but pro-independence groups have demanded it be withdrawn, arguing the move would dilute the vote of the indigenous Kanak population.
Speaking to reporters in Noumea after a day of meetings with local leaders, Macron pledged the reform “will not be forced through in the current context” and some weeks would be allowed for “a calming of tensions and resumption of dialogue to find a broad accord” among all parties, according to local reports.
The situation would be reviewed in a month, the reports said.
Macron’s government had hoped for a final vote by June to implement the reform by amending France’s Constitution, but the president’s latest comments suggest this will be delayed.
BY: Nadeem Faisal Bagia
