Five pro-independence politicians, who are members of the pro-independent Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS), in the 11-member executive have resigned. Photo: AFP
Talks between pro- and anti-independence parties in New Caledonia could resume in September.
And franceinfo has [https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/nouvellecaledonie/ils-ont-pris-la-bonne-decision-de-travailler-en-commun-la-rencontre-des-parlementaires-caledoniens-a-l-elysee-saluee-1508753.html reports that the provincial elections in the French territory, scheduled to be held in mid-December, could be postponed.
Four New Caledonian MPs met with the French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Thursday, calling for political dialogue to resume urgently.
Photographs of them posing with Macron outside the Élysée Palace have emerged in an apparent show of unity over the territory, which has been gripped by violent civil unrest for more than two months.
Attending the meeting were two pro-independence MPs, Robert Xowie and Emmanuel Tjibaou, the first pro-independence New Caledonian Kanak political candidate to win a seat since 1986.
Anti-independence MPs Nicholas Metzdorf and Georges Naturel were also present.
Tjibaou has also asked the state to clarify its position on the proposed electoral reform bill. The bill was suspended last month by Macron due to the dissolution of the French National Assembly and the subsequent holding of snap elections.
Xowie said the crisis in New Caledonia has to be a key priority for the state.
"Despite the elections, the dissolution, the Olympic Games and the establishment of the government, everything that happens in the territory must remain a priority for the state," Tjibaou echoed his sentiments.
"We need to break the institutional deadlock, the impasse that has occurred over the crisis, that affects everyone, whether we are pro or anti-independence,"
Loyalist MP Nicolas Metzdorf, said it was important for the MPs to show up to the meeting together.
"We wanted to show the President how urgent the situation is and emphasise that day to day affairs there are far from suitable."
Metzdorf added Macron wants to prolong the provincial elections.
"We need to give the territory time…time to resume talks and to restore calm."
Fellow loyalist Georges Naturel said they presented a model for the resumption of dialogue in Nouméa.
"We must do the same thing with the collegiate government of New Caledonia, because our fellow citizens expect concrete things from us," he said.
"The priority of priorities is a return to order. Freedom of movement is needed. The President reassured us that he will take the steps to do so."
He said Macron will set up a team to monitor economic issues in the coming weeks.
