The French Minister of Overseas, Sébastien Lecornu, landed this Sunday, November 28, 2021 in Pointe-à-Pitre. He must also go to Martinique, while the context is tense in these two islands. This stay comes after a controversy, sparked by the comments of Mr. Lecornu himself concerning the status of Guadeloupe.
Arrival in Pointe-à-Pitre in the afternoon, Sébastien Lecornu’s team greeted this Sunday “ a notable return to calm »In Guadeloupe and Martinique, after more than a week of violence and riots in the two French Caribbean islands.
Against the backdrop of high unemployment, the movement gained momentum in the wake of protests against compulsory anti-Covid vaccination for caregivers and firefighters, then extending to political, but also social demands.
The Minister of Overseas Territories meets on Monday with local Guadeloupe officials, economic players and unions. Ditto the next day, 120 kilometers away, in Fort-de-France. After Martinique, Sébastien Lecornu should be back on Wednesday in Paris.
“No debate on the status”
Friday, during a televised address to Guadeloupe, Mr. Lecornu had created a sharp controversy in France, saying that the government was ” ready To evoke more autonomy in Guadeloupe.
Xavier Bertrand, Marine Le Pen, but also Anne Hidalgo or even Jean-Luc Mélenchon, to varying degrees, had fallen on him. The question is ” off topic “, Had even launched Elie Domota, spokesperson for the union collective LKP.
Government spokesman Gabriel Attal stepped up to the plate this Sunday for an update on the issue of autonomy. Asked by CNews TV station, “ there is no debate on the status », He said to our colleagues.
There may be questions about a strengthening here or there of the dialogue, of certain responsibilities, but this is done in common law, in the current institutional framework.
Gabriel Attal, spokesperson for the French government
“The dialogue will continue”
Before flying to the West Indies, Mr. Lecornu’s entourage greeted a “ method agreement (…) between the State, the local elected representatives of Martinique and the inter-union, which will allow the opening of discussions on the main issues of the territory “.
We are talking about health, the price of fuel, youth and transport. ” Some of these themes concern the State, others more the local authorities: everyone will play their part. “, We explain from the same source.
Social dialogue for unvaccinated hospital staff and firefighters will continue
” It is unacceptable that we are being forced to be vaccinated. This blackmail of a vaccine against our salary is unacceptable. I am also fighting for my daughter. Life here is three times more expensive than in mainland France. The people say he’s had enough », Summarizes a Guadeloupe.
Questioned by Agence France-Presse, he is a firefighter, is 27 years old and the vaccination obligation does not pass, for him. On a roadblock for nearly a week, he nevertheless deplores the violence and those who shoot ” our police brothers “, He told AFP.
With agencies
►Read again: Sébastien Lecornu evokes more autonomy for the West Indies, the right is rebelling