
New Caledonia faces further uncertainty as French government collapse casts doubt on rebuilding efforts
The collapse of France’s government has thrown New Caledonia into fresh uncertainty as it tries to recover from its worst civil unrest in decades. Hopes for a quick injection of financial support for rebuilding efforts are in limbo while leaders in New Caledonia wait for a successor to prime minister Michel Barnier. Barnier’s government lost a motion of no confidence in Paris on December 4 after three months in power. France’s political upheaval is also expected to delay a new round of crucial talks over New Caledonia’s future, following months of riots and blockades in the French territory. There are fears that without a new political agreement by March, New Caledonia risks more economic ruin. And some say while it’s still possible to negotiate a new deal by that deadline, France’s next national government will be just as prone to collapse as the last, creating more obstacles for negotiations. Months…...