New Caledonia riots: France’s Emmanuel Macron delays voting reform, TikTok ban stays
- The president held talks with local leaders on the French-ruled Pacific island amid deadly protests sparked by the controversial measure
- France’s top court declined to suspend a temporary TikTok ban, which had been imposed to tackle street violence.
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday after a day of talks in New Caledonia that he would delay a voting reform that had triggered deadly riots on the French-ruled Pacific island, and try to seek a new political agreement.
The decision came the same day France’s top court declined to suspend a temporary ban of short video app TikTok in New Caledonia, which had been imposed to tackle street violence.
Speaking in the capital Noumea after meeting local political leaders, Macron said his ultimate aim was still to sign the measure into law, but only if peace returned and a broader pact on the island’s future could be forged.
“I am committed to ensuring that this reform will not be implemented by force,” he said in front of the French High Commission building.
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‘It’s a civil war’: French New Caledonia declares state of emergency amid pro-independence protests
