Page 28 - IB July 2020

France and the Pacific France and the Pacific

French Minister Sebastien Lecornu with FP delegation Apia Forum 2017

NEW TEAM IN PARIS FACES URGENT

PACIFIC CRISES

By Nic Maclellan Le Pen and the extreme-Right Rassemblement National (RN),
and possibly a presidential bid by the outgoing Prime Minister.
Just three months before New Caledonia’s next referendum
on self-determination, French President Emmanuel Macron New Caledonia
has reshuffled his Cabinet in Paris, appointing a new Prime As Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe allocated extensive time
Minister and ministers responsible for France’s overseas and energy in the lead up to the November 2018 referendum
collectivities. The new team in Paris comes to office as New in New Caledonia. He highlighted the issue in his final resigna-
Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna face major tion speech, stressing his personal role in the “fascinating,
economic challenges during the global coronavirus pandemic, difficult, complex and still uncertain” process of self-deter-
with border closures, loss of travel routes for national airlines mination. Philippe made a lightening visit to Noumea the day
and a collapse of tourism. after the referendum, which saw 43% of New Caledonians
The departure of Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and the vote in favour of independence – a result that surprised most
appointment of a new Overseas Minister and Minister for the conservative politicians and pundits, who had predicted a
Oceans have significant implications for the Pacific region. strategic defeat for the Front de Libération Nationale Kanak
When he came to office three years ago, President Macron et Socialiste (FLNKS).
and his newly created movement La Republique en Marche Incoming Prime Minister Jean Castex must hit the ground
crushed the centre-Left and centre-Right parties that had running, with another referendum to be held on 4 October
dominated French politics for decades. But Macron’s initial (pushed back from 6 September because of the coronavirus
popularity has dimmed. After years of austerity and attempt- crisis and much delayed municipal elections).
ed reforms of public services, Macron has faced widespread Louis Mapou, head of the UNI group within New Caledonia’s
protests from trade unions and the Gilets Jaunes (yellow vest) Congress noted: “Until now, Edouard Philippe has been our
movement. This year, France’s health and economic crisis has interlocutor within the French State. The new Prime Minister
damaged Macron’s standing, after 169,400 confirmed cases of – we don’t know him. We’ve met the new Overseas Minister,
COVID-19 and nearly 30,000 deaths in France. but not to discuss all the New Caledonian issues that are on
With only two years remaining in his current term as Presi- the table since 1998 [the signing of the Noumea Accord].”
dent, Macron has reshuffled his government. Prime Minister The Kanak independence movement has now launched its
Edouard Philippe resigned and has been replaced by conserva- campaign for a Yes vote. The FLNKS called a day of mobilisa-
tive technocrat Jean Castex. The choice of this former mem- tion on 4 July, including a rally and festival at Mwa Ka statue
ber of the Les Républicains party highlights Macron’s concern in central Noumea. They have urged supporters to fly the
about his right flank, as he prepares for the 2022 Presidential flag of Kanaky on the fourth day of every month, including
elections. Macron faces another bruising contest with Marine referendum day.

28 Islands Business, July 2020