Residents of New Caledonia participated in European elections on Sunday under heavy security measures following the worst unrest in decades. The French Pacific territory, situated between Australia and Fiji, has been under French rule since the 19th century, but many indigenous Kanaks are advocating for greater autonomy or complete independence.
According to the High Commission, which represents the French state, 92 percent of polling stations opened for the elections. Despite the high eligibility rate among the archipelago’s 270,000 residents, voter turnout is traditionally low.
In the capital city of Noumea, residents of the Magenta district were seen queuing outside a polling station under the watchful eyes of police, an AFP photographer reported. However, ongoing roadblocks continued to disrupt traffic, and many locals were expected to abstain from voting. “The European elections aren’t the main concern here; we’re not involved,” said Gaetan Kohueinui, a pro-independence resident, at one of the barricades.
The recent riots, which began on May 13, were sparked by anger over voting reform and escalated into weeks of protests. The unrest resulted in the deaths of seven people and left hundreds injured. The death toll rose to eight after an indigenous Kanak man, who was shot and wounded by gendarmes, succumbed to his injuries on Friday, as confirmed by local prosecutors on Saturday.
French authorities claim to have regained control over Noumea, although barricades persist, and pro-independence demonstrators remain active in the streets.
This voting day coincides with the final and largest day of elections for the EU’s parliament across Europe, where far-right parties are anticipated to gain ground at a critical juncture for the bloc.
