Macron (right) with New Caledonia's President Louis Mapou (left) and Congress President Roch Wamytan (centre) last month. Photo: Supplied
France's president Emmanuel Macron has written to New Caledonians, confirming he will not convene the Congress meeting on the controversial amendments.
Local media reports Macron also said he is waiting for the firm and definitive lifting of all the roadblocks and the unreserved condemnation of the violence; and that those who encouraged unrest will have to answer for their actions.
Macron had previously confirmed he had suspended but not withdrawn New Caledonia's controversial constitutional amendment.
The changes would allow more people to vote with some fearing it would weaken the indigenous Kanak voice.
In this letter, the president said France remains committed to the reconstruction of the territory, and calls on New Caledonians "not to give in to pressure and disarray but to stand up to rebuild".
The need for a return to dialogue is mentioned several times.
He wrote that this dialogue should make it possible to define a common project of society for all New Caledonian citizens, while respecting their history, their own identity and their aspirations; and this project, based on trust, recognition of the dignity of each person, justice and equality, has to provide prospects for the future of New Caledonia's younger generations.
Macron's letter ends with a handwritten paragraph which read: "I am confident in our ability to find together the path of respect, of shared ambition, of the future."
Nicolas Metzdorf, candidate for the 2024 early legislative election, said he contacted the President of the Republic following this letter to tell him that it was "unsuitable given the situation in New Caledonia".
New Caledonia's local government budget minister says the territory is trying to get emergency money from France due to financial troubles.
One of the factors is believed to be the ongoing civil unrest that broke out on 13 May, which caused most of the French Pacific entity's public sector employees not being able to pay their social contributions.
