New Caledonia demands €4.2 billion from France for post-unrest recovery

The Congress (local parliament) of New Caledonia, a French overseas territory, has passed a resolution demanding that the French authorities allocate €4.2 billion for the recovery of the island territory following widespread unrest that occurred earlier this year.

The text of the resolution, which was passed by an overwhelming majority, states that its primary aim is to "first ensure the country's survival and then begin its recovery," Caliber.Az reports, citing French media.

Reportedly, the requested amount is nearly half of the annual GDP of this overseas territory.

"This plan for recovery, economic, and social financial support is a crucial element for the survival of our country, which is on the brink of bankruptcy," said Philippe Gomes, a member of Congress representing the "Caledonia Together" group.

However, this resolution is not a legally binding document, and the terms outlined in it still need to be negotiated with the French authorities.

The newspaper notes that the initiative needs to be reviewed promptly so that it can be included in the 2025 budget proposal, which is typically agreed upon in the fall.

On May 13, protests in the administrative centre of New Caledonia, the city of Nouméa, against a French bill aimed at expanding voter rolls for local elections escalated into riots.

French colonialism in New Caledonia began in the mid-19th century and has had a lasting impact on the region's culture, politics, and demographics. Here’s an overview of key aspects of French colonialism in New Caledonia:

France officially annexed New Caledonia in 1853, though the region was inhabited by Indigenous Kanak peoples for thousands of years prior. The French aimed to establish a penal colony in the archipelago as part of their broader strategy in the Pacific.

Between the 1860s and 1890s, New Caledonia served as a significant penal colony, housing convicts from mainland France. This influx of convicts led to changes in the demographic makeup of the islands.