Jean-Christophe Lagarde, president of the UDI (center), and of the group in the Assembly, and Hervé Marseille President of the centrist Union Group in the Senate, called on Caledonians to vote no in the referendum on independence on October 4 .
“As far as we are concerned, we hope that on October 4, you will reaffirm the common destiny of France and New Caledonia.
Because through you, it is a part of the heart of our nation that beats in the Pacific ”
, they write in a
“ letter to the Caledonians ”
which AFP has obtained a copy.
Read also: The referendum on independence in New Caledonia will take place on October 4
They also underline that
“for nearly 170 years, France and New Caledonia have walked together.
We share a story, made of shadows and lights, which has led you to assert your unique identity in the French ensemble, notably through a Caledonian right to self-determination.
We share an identity nourished by a language, a school and common values
,
”
they insist.
They also call for
“dialogue and the search for consensus”
between separatists and non-separatists, from October 5, so that
“the common destiny”
can
“continue to be written, as you managed to do during the Agreements. of Matignon and Nouméa ”
, and hope that the State will take
“His full share”
in this dialogue.
Three of the four Caledonian parliamentarians (two deputies and one senator) are part of the UDI group.
Read also: New Caledonia: postponement of the referendum on independence
The referendum for the accession to full sovereignty of New Caledonia, scheduled for October 4, follows a first ballot, on November 4, 2018, which saw the victory of the pro-French at 56.7%.
If independence is rejected again, a third self-determination referendum is still possible by 2022.
President of the Republicans Christian Jacob and President of the National Rally Marine Le Pen have already called on Caledonians to vote no in the referendum.
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