Politicians in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia are working to form a new government following the collapse of the cabinet, local media reported.
The anti-independence party Caledonia Together sent a letter to the head of the Government of New Caledonia, Louis Mapou, announcing its withdrawal from the Government.
The letter claims that since May 13, New Caledonia has been embroiled in a deep socio-economic crisis and the Mapou government, which has been in power for 3 years, has turned the Cabinet into a structure that operates independently of the island’s other institutions.
With the withdrawal of the Caledonia Together party, which is linked to French President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party, from the island’s Cabinet, the Government fell. Until a new government is formed, the pro-independence Mapou will continue to handle day-to-day affairs on the island.
In New Caledonia, members of Congress determine the government by vote. Mapou was elected president of New Caledonia’s government in July 2021.
The political crisis has escalated amid the French government’s initiative to introduce a constitutional reform granting French people who have lived on the island for more than 10 years the right to vote in local elections.
The indigenous Kanak people see the reform as a violation of the 1998 Nouméa Accord, which gave the island autonomy. The Kanak fear that their influence will be undermined and the indigenous people will become a minority in their land.
In May 2024, New Caledonians held a massive demonstration against the reform, demanding that French authorities withdraw the draft amendments. The protests increased tensions between the island and France, deepening the socio-political crisis.
