The electoral reform plan in the territory of New Caledonia has been suspended by French President Emmanuel Macron, especially after it instigated riots for weeks on the island, leaving at least seven people dead. 

Macron justified his reason by stating “ambiguity” ahead of the elections, adding that it was to prioritize “dialogue in the field and restoring the order.” 

If the reform were to go through, French nationals on the island nation would have been eligible to vote in local elections for at least 10 years. However, the main concern was that this move would dilute votes by the indigenous Kanak population.

In New Caledonia, situated approximately 17,000 kilometers away from France, tensions escalated over the French government's proposed constitutional reforms, sparking protests from independence supporters.

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"I have pledged that this reform won’t be pushed through with force today in the current context and that we are giving ourselves a few weeks to allow for calm, the resumption of dialogue, with a view to a global agreement," he said two weeks ago. 

Another referendum?

Following meetings with leaders representing both sides of New Caledonia's deep divide between Indigenous Kanaks advocating for independence and pro-Paris leaders opposing it, Macron outlined a roadmap potentially leading to another referendum on the archipelago.

Nouveau référendum en #NouvelleCalédonie : Emmanuel Macron reprend la proposition de Marine Le Penpic.twitter.com/RTgT05XUqP

— Fdesouche.com est une revue de presse (@F_Desouche) May 23, 2024

The reform was approved by both houses of the French parliament in Paris earlier this month and awaited final enactment through changes to France's Constitution.

It was expected to occur in a special Congress by the end of June, but Macron's remarks in Nouméa indicated a readiness to reconsider, allowing for further dialogue and the crafting of a more acceptable deal for pro-independence leaders.

New Caledonia has been a French territory since the mid-1800s. Almost two centuries on, its politics remain dominated by debate about whether the islands should be part of France, autonomous or independent.

Indigenous Kanaks make up about 39% of the population but tend to be poorer and have fewer years of schooling than European Caledonians.