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The French president, Emmanuel Macrondecided this Wednesday to declare a state of emergency in the territory French in New Caledoniawhere riots against a reform of the electoral roll have left three dead since Monday and hundreds injured.
O “violence is intolerable and will be subject to a relentless response to ensure the restoration of order.”indicated the French presidency, specifying that an imminent Council of Ministers would approve the state of emergency.
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The protests began on Monday, when the National AssemblyThe French Chamber of Deputies began debating the reform of the electoral roll in Paris, finally approved on Wednesday, shortly after midnight.
Currently, only voters registered in 1998 and their descendants can participate in elections. provincial elections of this island territory in the Pacific Ocean and with 270,000 inhabitants.
Independentists consider that the expansion of electoral rollsallowing those who have settled more recently to vote will lead to a reduction in the proportionate influence of original Kanak residents in local institutions, which have broad powers transferred by Paris.
After a first night of serious riots, with fires, looting and shooting at policeauthorities in the territory imposed a curfew, banned public gatherings and closed schools and the main airport.
Although, “serious public order problems continue to exist” with “fires and looting of companies, infrastructures and public establishments, including various schools and colleges”admitted on Wednesday the High Commissioner –representative of the French State– Luis Le Franc.
“I let you imagine what would happen if the militias started shooting at armed people.“, he said Le Francowho spoke of a situation “insurrectionary”in the archipelago.
The French Presidency indicated that three people died and that a gendarme was seriously injured. The Minister of the Interior, Gerald Darmaninreported “hundreds”Of injured people, including one“hundreds”Of police officers and gendarmes.
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“Global political solution”
The protests against the reform, which had already registered the approval of the French Senatedid not interrupt the parliamentary process in Paris.
However, as it is a constitutional reform, it must also be submitted to a joint vote by both chambers and obtain more than 60% support to be approved. definitely approved.
Macron said he will convene this session “before the end of June” except that the independentists of New Caledonia and those who are in favor of remaining in France approve an alternative reform.
The French Prime Minister, Gabriel Attalstated this Wednesday that he will propose “in the next few hours”a date for both parties for a meeting in Paris to“ramp up” The “global political solution”.
“The priority is to reestablish order, calm and serenity” he added Attalin a context of pressure on Macron’s government from the right-wing opposition, which had already requested the declaration of a state of emergency.
Located approximately 1,200 kilometers east of the coast of AustraliaThis archipelago is one of the many overseas territories that France spread across the Pacific, the Indian Ocean or the Caribbean.
Thanks to the agreement of Noumea 1998, Paris delegated more political power to the New Caledonia and also allowed three referendums to be held, all resolved against independence.
Kanak natives boycotted the last of these, celebrated in 2021, as was celebrated during the pandemic. covid.
The agreement of Noumea It also froze the census for provincial elections in this territory, in which almost 20% of voters cannot vote.
Considering the provision “absurd” and contrary to democratic principles, the French government proposed a constitutional reform to include people established in New Caledonia for at least ten years.
Kanak independence activists fear that this expansion will benefit groups related to Paris and reduce its influence.
For the left opposition Macron in Francethe reform undermines the agreement Noumea.
The party leader pro-independence, Daniel Gaocondemned the looting and appealed to young people to “back home”.
But he warned: “The riots of the last 24 hours show the determination of our young people not to let France control them.”
Source: Elcomercio
I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.
