New Caledonia: voters divided on the eve of the 2nd referendum on independence
On October 4, 2020, New Caledonia will vote for the second time in two years on its independence from France.
Theo Rouby / AFP
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
“Do you want New Caledonia to gain full sovereignty and become independent?
This Sunday, October 4, the 180,000 voters registered on the special referendum list will answer this question for the second time in two years.
In November 2018, the "no" to independence from France had won with 56.4%.
Not worried, the Caledonians are nevertheless divided on the future of their isolated archipelago in the South Pacific.
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With our correspondent in Nouméa,
Julien Sartre
At the Nouméa market, this Saturday morning, October 3, between fruits and vegetables, on the side of the fish market as well as among local craft sellers, the atmosphere is peaceful.
No more feverish meetings, the excitement of marches and parades.
Odette reads her newspaper on the front page of which is written in capital letters: "
The hour of choice
".
"
I have already made my decision,
" she assures us.
I vote with my family and my children for the yes to independence.
We will see the result on Sunday evening: if it's no, it's no, that's how it is.
"
If not, Lila will be relieved.
This mother confides in him: she is afraid of change, of
independence
.
“
If we are with France, we still have security.
We are protected by France.
We are not ready to be independent.
"
Fear of "
heckling
"
They are afraid of independence or on the contrary, they believe that New Caledonia must achieve full sovereignty to live better: the inhabitants of New Caledonia approach the ballot in serenity and calm.
Of course, some fear what they call "
heckling
" when the results are announced.
But in Nouméa, at the market as on the famous Place des Cocotiers, for the moment, everyone says they are ready to accept the result, whatever it is.
►
To read also: New Caledonia: a 2nd referendum, and perhaps a 3rd, for what?
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New Caledonia: very divided positions for a second referendum on independence
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