New Caledonia has elected a pro-independence Indigenous Kanak candidate to France’s parliament for the first time in decades, in a move seen as a setback to French loyalists in the territory that has been gripped by unrest.
Over the weekend, voters in the French Pacific territory cast their ballots for their representatives in two seats in France’s national parliament. Emmanuel Tjibaou won out over a loyalist candidate in the second round of voting, while rightwing candidate and French loyalist Nicolas Metzdorf won New Caledonia’s second parliamentary seat.
Tjibaou becomes the first pro-independence candidate to win a seat in the national assembly since 1986. A political novice, he is the son of a well-known Kanak independence leader, Jean-Marie Tjibaou, who was assassinated in 1989. His win is viewed as setback for the pro-France movement in the territory.
The election comes weeks after deadly violence first flared in the capital, Nouméa, over plans from Paris over voting changes. In May, riots began after lawmakers in Paris approved a constitutional amendment to allow recent arrivals to the territory to vote in provincial elections, a decision – since put on ice by president Emmanuel Macron – that the Kanak population feared would further dilute their influence. Kanaks make up about 40% of New Caledonia’s population.
Tensions eased in recent weeks but the territory has continued to see bouts of unrest. Nine people – including two police officers – have been killed in the violence which caused widespread damage to businesses, shops and homes.
Tjibaou said he felt a sense of responsibility in the face of New Caledonia’s current situation, which has been the scene of violence and riots for multiple weeks, according to RNZ.
On Sunday, Tjibaou told public broadcaster NC la 1ère he deplored the “dramatic situation” and that there was now a need to urgently “restore the conditions” for a dialogue to resume between pro-independence and pro-France parties, RNZ reported.
Tjibaou said the elections were “a proof that democracy is alive” in New Caledonia, and that this should be the only way for people to express themselves, RNZ reported.
Associated Press contributed to this report
