Anti-independence loyalists ready to cooperate to prevent 'political instability' on French Pacific archipelago
Politicians in France's overseas territory of New Caledonia are working to form a new government following the Cabinet's collapse, according to local media reports.
Pro-independence politician Louis Mapou's government fell on Monday when Loyalists from the political party Caledonie Ensemble collectively decided to resign, broadcaster Nouvelle Caledonie 1ere reported.
Francoise Suve, the head of Loyalists in the Congress – the legislative body of the Pacific island – said her group was "ready and would take on its responsibilities as a non-independence formation."
She stressed the need for reforms to overcome economic and financial issues on the island, the broadcaster said Wednesday.
Virginie Ruffenach, head of the right-wing and non-independence group Rassemblement, said they would discuss the next steps with their "partners," the Loyalists, to prevent "political instability” in the territory.
Jean-Pierre Djaiwe, head of the pro-independence group Uni, questioned the timing and logic of the decision to cause the government collapse.
Mapou, the first pro-independence president of the government in New Caledonia, led the government of the archipelago for 3 1/2 years.
The Congress determines the number of government members, which can vary from five to 11, and elects them. This means that the government members are elected, not appointed.
After a government is toppled, lawmakers in the Congress have a deadline of 15 days to meet and elect a new executive body.
Political party groups in Congress must suggest candidates for the executive body and can decide to unite while doing it – a process during which political talks gain importance.
The future government members are not required to be elected lawmakers in Congress; it is enough for them to be listed on the special regional electoral lists.
Once the government members are elected, France's high commissioner for the archipelago asks them to select a president and a vice president of the government within five days.
