Macron to fly to New Caledonia after French island hit by riots

Emmanuel Macron will fly to New Caledonia on Tuesday night to “set up a mission” on the riot-hit island, France has confirmed.

France’s president will travel to the island after more than a week of unrest there over his government’s voting reform plans, which have been rejected by indigenous Kanaks.

Indigenous leaders say the plans, which will allow more French residents to vote in local elections, will dilute the political influence of native people.

No details about how long Mr Macron plans to stay on the island or what he will be doing there have been given.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal will also visit the French Pacific territory in the coming weeks, a spokesperson has said.

“Faced with the outbreak of violence, the priority is the return of order to allow dialogue to resume in New Caledonia,” said Prisca Thevenot.

She added that while calm was returning, things were not fully back to normal.

Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said he had “spoken with all economic players to build the support of the state”, pointing to looting and destruction of property on the island.

On Monday night, the French president told his defence and security council that hundreds of troops sent from France had made progress in restoring order, but would need to stay in New Caledonia for some time.

Australia and New Zealand have begun flying civilians away from the territory.

France’s High Commission in New Caledonia said on Tuesday the airport remained closed for commercial flights, and it would deploy the military to protect public buildings.