Emmanuel Macron will only speak after meeting local elected officials and representatives of civil society

While Emmanuel Macron is on his way to New Caledonia, the Élysée told franceinfo on Wednesday May 22 that there is no scenario written in advance. The President of the Republic is due to arrive Thursday morning (local time) in the French archipelago, where the return to calm is fragile. He goes there to install a “assignment”, said Prisca Thevenot, the government spokesperson, on Tuesday. An express trip, which will last a day.

The contours of this mission are not defined, maintains the Palace. Also, its composition and its roadmap may evolve depending on the discussions that Emmanuel Macron will have on site. He will only speak after having met both local elected officials, as well as representatives of civil society, indicates those around him.

One thing is certain, however: if the head of state travels nearly 30,000 kilometers to be alongside the Caledonians, it is because he has messages to convey, his advisors explain, and he is convinced that his trip should make it possible to initiate a phase of resuming discussions.

The president had been mulling over the idea of ​​this surprise trip for several days, according to his entourage. It comes at a time when there are increasing demands for the postponement of the constitutional bill on the electorate, rejected by the separatists and at the origin of the crisis which is shaking New Caledonia.