Herald Darmanin, head of France’s interior ministry, told Le Figaro newspaper that he intended to convince New Caledonians to stay in the French Republic. He noted that this Pacific Overseas Territory receives significant financial support from the motherland and that if it gains independence, its authorities will have to independently seek funds to provide services to the population. .
Le Figaro recalls that New Caledonia receives more than 1.5 billion euros from the French budget for the needs of its 270,000 inhabitants. Darmanin also noted that New Caledonia had held three referendums in which the population voted in favor of maintaining ties with France.
In 2024, local elections will take place in the archipelago. According to local legislation, only persons residing in New Caledonia for at least 10 years have the right to vote. However, Darmanen thinks the other residents should also have their say and a compromise must be found.
