Referendum in New Caledonia: day after

While a transitional period of eighteen months begins after the Nouméa Agreement process, the independentist leaders refuse to engage in the executive before the next presidential election.

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And now? After this third no to the independence of New Caledonia, Sunday, December 12, what will happen? Although this third referendum closes the process of the Nouméa Agreement of 5 May 1998, the territory will not fall overnight in a large legal black hole. As long as a new statute has been approved, the provisions of the Nouméa Agreement and the Organic Law that arise will continue to apply. The declaration of the 1 June, published after the working session held in Paris, provides for a period of transition until June 30, 2023, devoted to the development a new project, which is not only an institutional and legal nature but a society project in common.

Arrived Friday in New Caledonia at the request of Emmanuel Macron, the Minister of Overseas, Sébastien Lecornu, must begin to tag the path by teaming up with the different interlocutors. For the time being, the independence announced that they refused to chat with him. Officially. This does not prevent informal contacts and even official exchanges, without approaching institutional issues but deal with emergency topics.

So, from Tuesday, December 14 and before his return to the metropolis, Mr. Lecornu should speak with elected officials of the Government and Congress, including the President of the Government, the Independentist Louis Mapou, on a question that requires Urgent answers: the clearable state of local finances. In 2020, the State has already granted a loan of 240 million euros, followed by an exceptional grant of 82 million euros, then another 40 million euros to cope with the expenses related to COVID -19.

But, in the current state, the Government of the Caledonian, for independentity, is confronted with the same budget impasse of the order of 500 million euros and requests for 2021 a new aid of the State. In the Finance Bill for 2022, the Government was authorized to provide its guarantee to a loan from the French Development Agency for € 210 million. Stay, for the Government of Caledonian, to find nearly 300 million and to engage structural reforms.

“We will wait for the next”

The uncompromising position of the façade of independence leaders, in reality, is difficult to combine with the emergencies of the moment. In addition to local finances, the nickel industry failures are a serious concern, and always weigh the health risks related to the CVIV-19 epidemic, facing which national solidarity has played fully. What will require committing discussions. “We are not going to rush, ensures the government spokesman, including taxation and mining, Gilbert Tyuienon. There is no point in discussing the next day knowing all the tensions that there is Had. We must let things get up. “Clearly: Do not despair the militant base, heated to white by speeches in recent weeks.

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/Media reports.