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Referendum in New Caledonia: the questions that arise

2021-06-04T11:16:38.226Z


FOCUS - Overseas Minister Sébastien Lecornu has unveiled the date of the third referendum on independence: December 12th.


The third and final self-determination referendum in New Caledonia, decisive for the institutional fate of the territory, will take place on December 12, 2021. This ballot must decide whether the “Caillou” will remain French or will become independent.

Its date was a stumbling block between the separatists, who argued for a referendum after the 2022 presidential election, and the loyalists, who wanted the deadline to come as quickly as possible.

Read also: A final referendum on December 12 on the independence of New Caledonia

  • Why is there no consensus on the date of December 12?

The choice of a referendum before the end of 2021 was the option favored by the loyalists, but not by the separatists. “

We are worried about the exit of the agreement because of this date. This timing is imposed on us by the Minister of Overseas Territories, and it is not good at all,

”Louis Mapou, head of the UNI group in Congress (deliberative assembly), the National Union for independence.

The separatists indeed wanted a ballot after the presidential election, in the fall of 2022, "

to give themselves time to share, to work on the document

"

,

according to Gilbert Tyuienon, vice-president of the Caledonian Union.

For Victor Tutugoro, one of the leaders of the National Union for Independence (UNI), absent from the negotiations, the date of December 12, 2021, “this

is the option we did not want

”.

"

We believe that during the period that has been chosen there will be no one full time in the ministries or in the government to discuss in front of the results, because people will be in campaign,

" he told the Commission. Caledonia TV channel.

  • What will be the question asked?

No information regarding a possible change has yet been communicated.

In 2020, the question was identical to the 2018 referendum, namely: "

Do you want New Caledonia to achieve full sovereignty and become independent?"

".

Clearly, on the transfer to New Caledonia of sovereign powers, on access to an international status of full responsibility and on the organization of citizenship into nationality.

  • Who can vote?

To deposit your ballot in the ballot box, you must not only be registered on the general electoral list but also on the electoral list for the consultation on the accession of New Caledonia to full sovereignty (LESC). This list excludes some 35,950 “

Zoreilles

” - not born on the Island - registered on the general list, ie 17% of the population. These are mainly Europeans who arrived in New Caledonia after 1994.

The subject of intense debate, the "

Caldoches

", born on the spot, but not Kanaks, are not automatically registered on the LESC but must take the process themselves.

In June 2020, the deputies refused the organic law proposal for their automatic registration.

The loyalists fought for this not to be so so that these “Caldoches”, closer to the metropolis, could vote more easily.

  • Who tilts the scales for?

The gap is narrowing between the two camps.

If the loyalists have so far always held onto the lead, their lead is diminishing.

Between 2018 and 2020, loyalists fell from 56.7% to 53.3%, while separatists rose from 43.3% to 46.7%.

Read also: New Caledonia: loyalists, separatists ... The five key figures in the poll

  • What will the next steps be?

From June 17 until the 21st, a committee, made up of the signatory parties, will be held to prepare for the holding of this referendum, in the company of the Minister for Overseas Territories.

The campaign will officially last two weeks, until the day before D-Day. In fact, the loyalist and separatist formations are already starting to mobilize their supporters.

  • What is the “transition period” mentioned?

At the exit of the Council of Ministers, Sébastien Lecornu specified that it was necessary "

to have a period which makes it possible to fix and secure the economic, financial, monetary, banking life of Caledon

".

This period will extend from December 13 to June 30, 2023. It therefore aims to allow a stable transition from one system to another, particularly at the institutional level.

In the event of a "

yes

", it will be a question of building a new Constitution and redefining the link with France.

In the event of a “

No

victory

, it will be a question of establishing “

the development of New Caledonia and its future institutions in the French Republic

”, in the words of the Minister.

  • Why are we talking about a “4th referendum”?

Whatever happens, a fourth referendum is already planned. This is a "

project referendum

", according to Sébastien Lecornu, interviewed by the La Première channel. This referendum should allow "

the approval of the new Caledonian institutions

", he explained. It will "

not be a fourth referendum

" specified the minister, but the "

first referendum

" of a new period.

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2021-06-04

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