[Direct] Barely elected, Philippe Dunoyer resigns from the 18th government

[11h15] The Caledonian candidate together made the decision to resign from the government, a little over an hour after his election. At issue: the lack of agreement between the different political groups around a “governance contract” that Caledonia together had submitted to the Congress groups.

This draft agreement was focused around four themes, and in particular a redefinition of relations between the government and Congress. Another reason for this resignation: the refusal of other groups to entrust Philippe Dunoyer with the economy and taxation portfolio to which he claimed. “I take note of it and I regret it.”

Philippe Dunoyer will be replaced by Jeremie Katidjo-Monnier, next on the Caledonia ensemble list and former member of the government. The latter “will vote for the candidacy of Alcide Ponga”assures Philippe Dunoyer, who abstained this Tuesday morning during the first attempt to elect a president. Petelo Sao, second on the Caledonia together list, should do the same, making it possible to create a majority around the Rassemblement candidate. Alcide Ponga could be elected during the day.

[10H30] A first vote took place between the new members of the government to elect a president. Two candidates were presented: Alcide Ponga and Samuel Hnepeune. The first received 4 votes, the second three votes. The UNI and Caledonie ensemble-Éveil occanien members voted blank.

Neither candidate therefore obtained a majority. A new meeting will have to be convened by the high commissioner.

[10h15] The new members of the executive were summoned to the congressional committee room, with the high commissioner, to appoint between them a president and one or more vice-presidents. The results provide a majority of six votes to non-independence supporters. It is Alcide Ponga who is popular on the Rassemblement-Loyalists side and Samuel Hnepeune for the UC-FLNKS and Nationalists list.

[10h10] Thus, the members of the 18^e government are: Alcide Ponga, Isabelle Champmoreau, Christopher Gygès and Thierry Santa for the Rassemblement-Loyalists; Samuel Hnepeune, Gilbert Tyuienon and Mickaël Forrest for the UC-FLNKS and Nationalists; Adolphe Digoué and Claude Gambey for the UNI; Philippe Dunoyer and Petelo Sao for Calédonie ensemble-Awakening oceanian.

The eleven members of the 18th government were elected this Tuesday, January 7. Photo Baptiste Gouret

[10 heures] In view of the results, the distribution of seats is as follows: 4 seats for the Rassemblement-Loyalists; 3 seats for the UC-FLNKS and Nationalists; 2 seats for UNI; 2 seats for Caledonia together-Oceanian Awakening.

[9h50] The counting is finished. The Rassemblement-Loyalists list collects 19 votes, that of the UC-FLNKS and Nationalists obtains 15, that of the UNI obtains 11 and finally that of Calédonie ensemble-Eveil Océanien obtains 9 votes.

[9h45] The 54 councilors of Congress voted. The counting has started.

The counting of the 54 ballots has begun. Photo Baptiste Gouret

[9h15] The elected officials take their seats in the hemicycle, in front of an audience of personalities, representatives of the State, the police, as well as members of the resigned government

The space dedicated to the public is filled, for the election of members of the government. Photo Baptiste Gouret

Two weeks, to the day, after the fall of the Mapou government, caused by the collective resignation of Caledonia together, the Congress advisors are convened, this Tuesday, January 7, to elect the members of the future executive. The election is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

Four lists of candidates were submitted, between December 30 and January 1, to the Congress desk, by the different groups. Two alliances were formed on the non-independence side: Caledonia together and the Oceanian Awakening on one side, Rally and Loyalists on the other. Among the separatists, the UNI and the UC-FLNKS and Nationalists present separate lists.

The elected officials take their seats in the hemicycle, the election can begin. Photo Baptiste Gouret

The election takes place according to the rule of proportional voting according to the highest average. Eleven seats are at stake, according to a deliberation adopted unanimously on December 30. The forces present within the hemicycle, and in particular the shift of the Oceanian Awakening, suggest that the non-independenceists will win a majority of six seats. They will then have to agree to appoint a president and vice-presidents.

The election can be followed live on the Nouvelles calédoniennes website.

The 54 councilors of the Congress of New Caledonia are preparing to elect a new government. Photo Baptiste Gouret