The separatist Roch Wamytan was re-elected on Tuesday August 30 as president of the Congress of New Caledonia thanks to the support of a small party, arousing criticism from non-independentists, who denounced “a denial of democracy”. This annual election does not change the balance of power within the local chessboard.
Roch Wamytan asked “to the elected representatives of the people to feel committed (…) to reduce social inequalities, revive the economy and the purchasing power of our fellow citizens”. For the fourth time since the start of his term of office (2019-2024), Roch Wamytan, 71 – from the ranks of the UC-FLNKS (Union Calédonienne) – was elected thanks to the three elected members of the Polynesian party l’Éveil Océanien , able to switch between the 26 elected separatists and the 25 elected loyalists.
Read alsoMeeting in September in Paris on the future of New Caledonia
This formation, an emanation of the Wallisian and Futunian community of Caledonia, justified its vote by a desire “institutional alignment of government and Congress” to carry out “structural reforms” in taxation, social protection or housing.
The two FLNKS groups (UNI and UC) signed last week with the Éveil Océanien (EO) a “institutional stability agreement” until 2024 also relating to job sharing and allocation of human and material resources. Since July 2021, thanks to their alliance with the EO, the separatists have also chaired the collegiate government.
Read alsoNew Caledonia: nickel, a local treasure that stirs up greed and tensions
Gil Brial, an unsuccessful Loyalist candidate, denounced “a denial of democracy”arguing that in the 2019 territorial elections his side had a majority in number of votes but no seats due to the proportional voting system.
The two groups affiliated with the presidential Renaissance party, Les Loyalists and Calédonie Ensemble, welcomed “unity of non-independence” during this election.
The re-election of Roch Wamytan comes as discussions with the State must open to give New Caledonia a new status after three referendums on independence in 2018, 2020 and 2021, won by pro France, and which marked an end to the Nouméa agreement (1998).