European governments are dealing alongside multiple secessionist movements, both on the mainland as well as inwards their overseas possessions. Should New Caledonia vote inwards favor of independence from France, other separatist movements volition experience emboldened. The vote is too relevant at a fourth dimension of growing geopolitical contest inwards the Pacific.
What Will Happen Nov. 4
Voters inwards New Caledonia, an archipelago inwards the Pacific Ocean some 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) eastward of Australia, volition overstep to the polls on Nov. iv to arrive at upwards one's heed whether they wish independence from France. With a population of roughly 270,000 people, the islands are heavily subject on financing from Paris. But they are too dwelling trouble solid to but about fifteen portion of the world's reserves of nickel, a metallic acquaint inwards a vast delineate of products from steel to electronics, as well as host French naval as well as air forces. Secessionist groups inwards Europe, every bit good every bit New Caledonia's neighbors, volition move watching the vote closely.
A Divided Population
New Caledonia has been nether French command since 1853, as well as inwards 1946, it became a French overseas territory. Around 39 portion of the population belongs to an indigenous ethnic grouping known locally every bit Kanaks, spell roughly 27 portion are descendants of European settlers, known inwards the islands every bit Caldoches. These groups clashed violently inwards the 1980s, which forced the French authorities to intervene as well as grant some marker of autonomy to New Caledonia, though Paris silent controls commutation areas similar defense, unusual affairs as well as monetary policy. The archipelago held an independence plebiscite inwards 1987, as well as 98 portion of voters decided to stay inwards France. Voter turnout, however, was really depression because of a boycott yesteryear pro-independence groups.
Opinion polls for the Nov. iv plebiscite pose back upwards for remaining inwards French Republic at betwixt threescore as well as lxx percent. Pro-independence supporters, most of whom are Kanaks, fence that a New Caledonian commonwealth would allow the islands to command their natural resources as well as protect their identity as well as traditions; some groups convey suggested the nationalization of the nickel industry. Anti-independence supporters, most of whom are Caldoches, warn that independence would impoverish the islands as well as bailiwick them to the influence of unusual powers, most notably China.
While Paris has expressed its neutrality on the referendum, president Emmanuel Macron visited New Caledonia inwards May as well as expressed his involvement inwards the islands remaining French.
A vote inwards favor of independence would move followed yesteryear a transitional period, as well as New Caledonia would exclusively overstep independent inwards 2021. But fifty-fifty if people vote against independence, an understanding betwixt the French authorities as well as pro- as well as anti-independence groups allows for 2 novel referendums yesteryear 2022 if the islands' legislature requests them. But anti-independence groups promise that the rejection of independence volition move as well as hence overwhelming on Nov. iv that no additional votes occur.
Foreign Players Will Be Watching
While the French authorities has expressed its neutrality on the referendum, President Emmanuel Macron visited New Caledonia inwards May as well as expressed his involvement inwards the islands remaining French. Commonwealth of Australia has too remained officially neutral, but Canberra would in all probability move relieved if New Caledonia remained inside the French orbit, peculiarly at a fourth dimension of trouble concern virtually China's component subdivision inwards the Pacific. Foreign back upwards for the independence receive has been modest. However, pro-independence groups inwards places similar Corsica, French Polynesia as well as Catalonia volition move watching the vote closely, hoping that a vote inwards favor of secession aids their causes.
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