The Caledonia ensemble movement resigned on Tuesday, December 24 from the collegial government at the head of New Caledonia, automatically leading to the fall of the local executive, we learned in a party letter that AFP was able to consult. In this resignation letter addressed to the president of the government Louis Mapou, the loyalist Calédonie ensemble party (center-right, affiliated with Renaissance) indicates that “since the events of May 13, (the) country has sunk into deep economic distress and social. In such circumstances, solidarity between institutions, first and foremost the government and the Congress of New Caledonia, constitutes an ardent obligation.
“I can only note that this was not the case and I regret it”, indicates in this letter Jérémie Katidjo-Monnier, resigned member of the Caledonian government. “On the contrary”, he laments, “the government which comes from Congress, which is the executive of the country, has transformed, over time, into an independent body, and particularly from the political groups of the Congress from which it comes, whether they are independentists or non-independenceists”.
These dissensions come after six months of deep political and social crisis but also insurrectional tensions which left 13 dead caused by a project to reform the electoral body in the French archipelago in the South Pacific. The State then decided to postpone the provincial elections scheduled for this year until November 2025, thereby postponing the processing of the ultra-sensitive issue of the electorate, without resolving it.
Disagreement
For several weeks, several political groups have expressed their disagreement with the safeguard plan for refoundation and reconstruction carried by the collegial government and especially its financing conditions. “This self-proclaimed governmental independence, contrary to the Nouméa Accord and the organic law, has led you, Mr. President, to decide to put the country in debt to the tune of 120 billion Pacific francs (1 billion euros) , without anyone’s authorization, to try to impose 15 billion (125.5 billion euros) in new taxes on Caledonians and, more generally, to practice the policy of fait accompli in front of the Congress, under the diligent leadership of Bercy”, argues Calédonie ensemble in its resignation letter.
This letter is also signed by the seven other “list candidates” likely to succeed him. In fact, the New Caledonian government is designated by the members of Congress, during a list vote. In the event of individual resignation of a member of the government, the next one on the list takes his place. Only collective resignation brings about the fall of the government.
While awaiting the appointment of a new executive, the current president, the independentist Louis Mapou, will handle current affairs. Neither Caledonia together nor the president of the government wished to react on Tuesday.