Page 12 - IB June 2017

Politics

Business as usual?

Pacific challenges for new French President

Mountain to climb ... Immanuel Macron after his election victory. Photo: Supplied
François Hollande, on climate change, opportunity to reinforce its reputation
New Caledonia, support for the European in the region at a time the Anglosphere
Development Fund and arms sales to is moving backwards on climate policy.
Australia. US President Donald Trump is rolling
But with French voters deeply divided back Obama administration initiatives
over the country’s future, it will be harder on climate mitigation.
for the new President to address complex Trump has already slashed staff at the
challenges facing French colonialism in US Environmental Protection Agency
By Nic Maclellan the Pacific. Voters go to the polls again in (EPA), removed regulations on coal
June for the French National Assembly, mining and proposed funding cuts for
FRANCE Has a new President after and Macron may face a hostile majority scientific research.
mainstream parties fell by the wayside in the legislature, even as New Caledonia In Australia too, the Turnbull govern-
during last month’s presidential elec- moves towards a referendum on self- ment is actively supporting the expan-
tions. determination in late 2018. sion of coal mining, even as it pledges
Incoming President Emmanuel Macron President Macron will follow Hol- support to island neighbours.
saw off a strong challenge by Marine Le lande’s policy of making climate change Private banks have refused to support
Pen of the extreme-Right Front National the centrepiece of France’s charm offen- the proposed Carmichael coal mine in
(FN). sive in the Pacific. Queensland, but key Turnbull ministers
Macron’s victory means that it will Macron remains deeply committed to are pushing for a loan of nearly $1billion
be business as usual in the Pacific, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change to build rail infrastructure for the project.
reinforcing the improved relationship and France will maintain its contribution This comes as Treasurer Scott Morrison
between France and Forum member to climate adaptation funding through once again slashed overseas aid by
countries. Macron will continue many of mechanisms such as the Green Climate another $303million over four years in
the policies towards the region initiated Fund (GCF). the May 2017 national budget (Foreign
by outgoing Socialist Party president The French Government will seize the Minister Julie Bishop can’t defend her

12 Islands Business, May 2017