The independence of the Flnks had announced last week that they would not participate in the ballot. They require a postponement due to the virulent first wave of Covid-19 which strikes the territory.
Le Monde with AFP
New Caledonia’s economic officials warned, Wednesday, October 27, “disastrous economic and social consequences”, if the referendum on the independence scheduled for 12 December was postponed after the decision of the independence not to participate.
“New Caledonia can not afford a postponement of the referendum in 2022, it must be held on the scheduled date because democracy is stronger than the pandemic,” said the leaders of NC Eco, who brings together the main employers’ and craft organizations, as well as consular rooms.
They spoke after the flavoring of the FLNKs announced last week their choice not to participate in this third referendum vote because of the epidemic of Covid-19, which strikes the archipelago according to them ” A fair campaign “.
While the economy suffers from “this long period of institutional uncertainty”, NC ECO pointed out that between 2016 and 2020 “Employment employment had dropped by 10%, 40% in the construction building and that each Year 2,000 people leave the territory “.
” We need visibility “
The various confinement measures, in force since the beginning of the epidemic on 6 September, still weakened the companies, already impacted by two previous confines during suspicion of introduction of the virus in the archipelago.
Remained for a long time free from Covid, New Caledonia suffers a violent first wave that has so far been 261 dead.
Potting the absence of reforms, NC ECO broadcast a manifesto based on “8 pillars”, such as access to education, the right to health or respect for cultures and sent a letter to the parties policies for “obtaining answers about the consequences of yes and no” independence on the economy.
“We need visibility, to be able to project while New Caledonia is dying. We must stop the debate on fundamental economic issues,” said Mimsy Daly, President of the New Caledonia Medef .
Recently visiting Nouméa, Sébastien Lecornu, Minister of Overseas, had repeated that “only an out-of-control epidemic” could lead to a postponement of the last referendum of the Nouméa Agreement (1998). A decision should be announced by November 10th.
November 4, 2018 and October 4, 2020, the Caledonians rejected independence to 56.7% and then 53.3%.