Guest of the NC LA 1st television news, Virginie Ruffenach was firm on the line defended by the rally, on the eve of the political conclave scheduled from May 5 to 7 in Bourail. Faced with the proposals made orally by Manuel Valls, the minister of Overseas, the head of the Rally group at the Congress of new Caledonia expressed its “amazement”.
While on Monday, May 5, a three -day political conclave in Bourail, Virginie Ruffenach was opens on Monday, May 5, was the guest of the television news on Sunday, May 4 on the 1st. Questioned by Valentin Deleforterie, the president of the Rally group at the Congress expressed the reserves of the non -independence camp on state proposals. While reaffirming the line defended with its allies: no agreement is possible if the republican unit is called into question.
The president of the Rally group wonders what she considers to be a “CAP change” from the Minister of Overseas. She is worried about the terms used during the last exchanges. “There were elements of deep disagreement on a certain number of words which were posed by the minister and which did not agree to us at all in terms of the basis of this negotiation.”
Neither the rally nor the loyalists will sign the independence of New Caledonia, whether very clear.
In particular in question, the hypothesis mentioned in a “Transfer of sovereign skills with a possible delegation by New Caledonia to the state of the exercise of its skills” or the “Double nationality”. She recalls that the Caledonians “have chosen three times in three referendums that Caledonia remains within the French Republic”. From then on, she says, “In what is advanced to us, this land of Caledonia would no longer be a French land”. Which is, for his camp, “unacceptable”.
No written document has yet been “Posed on the table” To serve as a basis for negotiations. “It was to be handed over on Friday [2 mai]. It was not the case.“The only proposals of the known state at this stage have been expressed “orally”. Virginie Ruffenach specifies that this base is proposed by Minister Valls and not the State.
Virginie calls insists: “Neither the gathering nor the loyalists […] will not sign the independence of New Caledonia, whether very clear. “ It also opposes any so-called “independence-association” solution, mentioned in discussions.
The line defended by his group and by the Loyalists remains that of a federal territory in the French Republic. “We defend […] A federal territory project that involves skills in the provinces, within the French Republic“, She reaffirms. The maintenance of the state in its sovereign prerogatives is, for her, an imperative which stems from the choice expressed by referendum.
We are not ready for an agreement at all costs.
The opening of the conclave in Bourail also arouses questions. “The objective of a conclave […] It is to put all political actors together to be able to find a solutionshe conceives, while reacting to the words of the minister she paraphrase as follows: “Either it is the agreement or it is chaos for New Caledonia. ” An alternative to which Virginie Ruffenach refuses: “The real chaos for us, for New Caledonia is independence”.
Virginie Ruffenach invokes recent events to support her words. “The independence project presented to us today, the prefigurations, on May 13, what is happening in Saint-Louis, is not likely to show that it would be peace and that it would be great for Caledonia.” Hence its warning: “We are not ready for an agreement at all costs.”
For the president of the Rally group, the Loyalist camp has already shown openness. “We have made a lot of effort in our camp to accept sometimes very complex things”she says, evoking, among other things, concessions around the electorate and a “Institutional system with multiple stages”.
The elected official is now awaiting a gesture from the independence camp. “I ask the question: where are the efforts on the independence side? […] Apart from proposing the independence of this country, without really explaining to us how it will improve the situation of Caledonians. “
Asked about disagreements between generations NC and Alcide Ponga, president of the rally and the government of New Caledonia, concerning the withdrawal of the independence of driving licenses, Virginie Ruffenach minimizes the scope of the conflict. “I think this epiphenomenon is rather a storm in a glass of water.”
She defends Alcide Ponga, who “Immediately all done to implement the court decision”but comes up against “A functioning of a government today that it is absolutely necessary to change”Or “Only one member of the government, not bringing their counterfeit to a decree to remove these flags blocks the whole system”. Despite these tensions, she says that “We are more united than ever with the Loyalists” and ensures that, On the institutional future, the loyalists and the rally have always been connected, “Before, during and after the discussions”.
It is not the threat of violence that must dictate the political future of New Caledonia.
In this tense context, in full negotiations and a year after Virginie Ruffenach insists on the need to restore public order. She salutes the arrival of the new High Commissioner Jacques Billant and reminds her of her responsibilities. “It is absolutely necessary that there is a maintenance of public order in New Caledonia.” And to conclude with these words which were held against Manuel Valls: “It is not the threat of violence that must dictate the political future of New Caledonia. “
