France’s Macron Touches Down in New Caledonia, Urges Calm

  • President landed in Pacific territory early Thursday morning
  • New Caledonia has been rocked by days of protests, violence

Emmanuel Macron arrives in Noumea, France's Pacific territory of New Caledonia on May 23.

Photographer: Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images

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French President Emmanuel Macron touched down in New Caledonia early Thursday and called for a “return to peace, calm and security” after days of violent protests in the Pacific territory sparked by a proposed change to the voting franchise.

“My wish here, with my ministers and the entire government, is to be with the population,” Macron said in a video posted on X after landing. “The return to peace and safety is also a return to normal services, to food supplies because I know a number of people are living through a moment of great crisis.”