Paris (AFP)

The referendum on independence in New Caledonia is officially postponed to October 4, 2020, according to the decree of the Interior Ministry summoning the voters, said government spokesman Sibeth Ndiaye on Wednesday after the Council of Ministers. .

The date of the second referendum, originally scheduled for September 6, "has been postponed to October 4, 2020 given the consequences of the health crisis," said the spokesperson.

Matignon had already announced at the end of May to Caledonian independence and loyalist leaders his intention to postpone the poll to October 4. But on June 12, a majority of the elected members of the Congress of New Caledonia called upon to pronounce on the draft decree had hoped that the next referendum would be held rather on October 25.

The separatists of the FLNKS wanted to have more time, given the postponement of the second round of municipal elections to June 28, the campaign of which they believe will "encroach" on that of the referendum.

The Calédonie ensemble group (non-independentist, center right) also said it was favorable to October 25 in order to guarantee "participation at least as important as in 2018 (81%)".

Only the elected non-independence members of L'Avenir en Confiance (right, near LR) and a non-registered loyalist elected official (i.e. a total of 19 votes out of 54) had expressed a favorable opinion on the date proposed by Edouard Philippe.

The three elected representatives of the Ocean Awakening (Wallisian and Futunian community party) had pleaded for the search for a date, other than that of October 4, which could reach consensus.

This new referendum follows a first ballot, which was held on November 4, 2018 and saw the victory of "no" to independence (56.7%). A third ballot may still take place by 2022, if the no wins on October 4.

The draft government decree has also provoked an outcry from the separatists because it provides that the tricolor flag can be used during the official campaign, as desired by the non-separatists.

© 2020 AFP