Guest of the television news on Sunday, December 22, non-independence senator Georges Naturel wanted to be reassuring about the financial aid promised by the State and suspended from the vote on the 2025 budget in Paris. But there is an urgent need to release funds, to reform, to move forward in discussions on the institutional future and to resolve the provincial question.
There is a budgetary emergency. The 27 billion that the State still has to pay to New Caledonia “will allow communities to hold out in January, but from February onwards, things will get complicated” if no emergency provision is adopted, admits non-independence senator Georges Naturel. He was the guest of the television news on December 22.
Paris having not voted for its 2025 budget, the guaranteed loan of 119 billion francs is on hold. He “was not legally possible” to include it in the special law passed on December 20, indicates the senator. The elected official hopes that it will be discussed in January. It is in any case “urgent to find arrangements to support New Caledonia”, he emphasizes.
While trying to reassure: “You have to look at things pragmatically. In 2024, we obtained 55 billion despite the dissolution and four Prime Ministers. The State will always be there to support us.”
It could even agree to transform loans into grants if reforms are implemented to reduce debt in the territory, as requested by Paris in return for the aid. “Jand think that it will happen from the moment we have engaged a number of reforms et advanceand on our institutional future.“
A certain number of local elected officials are in the campaign, so they cannot reveal their positions, which necessarily biases the political debate.
Regarding discussions on the institutional future, the senator believes that they are slowed down by the deadline for provincial elections, which must be held in November 2025 at the latest. “A certain number of local elected officials are in the campaign, so they cannot reveal their positions, which necessarily biases the political debate.”
He is in favor of the organization of elections “as soon as possible to perhaps clarify the situation”. Because, it is certain, the political lines will shift. “We will have surprises. New movements will inevitably appear.”
“We will have to make a choice, and it is up to the State, at a given moment, to make decisions“, he says.
An agreement must be reached before March 31. “We must try to find a new dynamic”, also advocates the elected official.
A dynamic in which civil society, the economic world and the four New Caledonian parliamentarians can influence, he defends. Alternative to “the Lecornu/Darmanin method“, which, centered on exchanges with New Caledonian political groups,”has proven its failures”.
He also urges independentist elected officials to find a common position. “As parliamentarians, we have discussions, but on the ground, things must move forward. We need interlocutors.”
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