Macron tries to soothe New Caledonia uproar

French President Emmanuel Macron greets police in New Caledonia

Many Indigenous voters in New Caledonia worry the new legislation would "dilute" their political voice

(Image credit: Ludovic Marin / Pool / AFP via Getty Images)

published 24 May 2024

What happened

French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday he will not force through a controversial voting reform that sparked violence in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia, leaving six people dead.

Macron flew to Nouméa, the New Caledonian capital, after sending 1,000 additional French gendarmes to quell rioting that began May 13 in response to legislation moving through France's Parliament. The reforms would allow more French residents to vote in local elections. Currently, only Indigenous Kanaks — who make up 40% of the population — and people who settled in New Caledonia before 1998 can vote.

Many Kanaks worry the new legislation would "dilute" their political voice, said the BBC, potentially endangering future independence votes. Three referendums held since 2018 failed, but the 2021 vote was boycotted by pro-independence groups.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.