After announcing the postponement of provincial elections in New Caledonia and the abandonment of the constitutional bill on the unfreezing of the Kanak electoral roll during his general policy speech on Tuesday, the new Prime Minister found himself under fire from non-independence supporters, who accused the government of « bias ». Michel Barnier tried to correct the nation in order to not lose the support of Macron’s deputies.
The decision to postpone the elections, which were originally scheduled for March 2022, was met with disappointment and criticism from the non-independence camp. They argued that the delay was a political maneuver to benefit the pro-independence parties, as it would give them more time to campaign and potentially gain more votes.
In addition, the abandonment of the constitutional bill, which aimed to unfreeze the Kanak electoral roll and allow more indigenous people to vote in the upcoming elections, was seen as a betrayal by the non-independence supporters. They accused the government of not fulfilling its promise to address the issue of unequal representation in New Caledonia.
However, Prime Minister Michel Barnier quickly responded to these criticisms and assured that the decision to postpone the elections was made in the best interest of all New Caledonians. He emphasized the need for a peaceful and fair electoral process, and stated that the delay would allow for more time to address any potential issues and ensure a smooth election.
Furthermore, Barnier also addressed the concerns of the non-independence camp regarding the abandonment of the constitutional bill. He stated that the government is still committed to finding a solution to the issue of unequal representation and will continue to work towards a fair and inclusive electoral system.
Despite the initial backlash, Barnier’s efforts to address the concerns of the non-independence supporters seem to have paid off. The majority of Macron’s deputies have expressed their support for the government’s decision and have praised Barnier for his leadership and commitment to finding a peaceful resolution.
In balance, while the postponement of the elections and the abandonment of the constitutional bill may have caused some controversy, Prime Minister Michel Barnier has shown strong leadership and a commitment to finding a fair and inclusive solution for all New Caledonians. His efforts to address the concerns of the non-independence camp have helped to maintain the support of Macron’s deputies and ensure a peaceful and democratic electoral process.
