New Caledonia's new president unveils cabinet portfolios
Milakulo Tukumuli, 42, announced his cabinet line-up on Wednesday, following his election by the French Pacific territory's Congress less than a week ago.
President Milakulo Tukumuli of New Caledonia unveiled his cabinet on Wednesday, outlining the distribution of portfolios among the 11-member team. The president, 42, addressed the French Pacific territory's Congress on July 31. Tukumuli emphasized addressing major issues, including economic concerns such as the challenging situation faced by Air Calédonie, the domestic transport airline.
Apart from the traditional civil security and external relations portfolios, Tukumuli took over health, social protection, and transport portfolios. He will also serve as the government's spokesperson. Other sensitive portfolios, including customs, economic attractiveness, external trade, and food sovereignty, have been assigned to pro-France cabinet members like Christopher Gygès, who retains key economy, tax, and telecommunications attributions.
Alcide Ponga, Tukumuli's predecessor, is now in charge of nickel mining-related and energy matters, a sector severely affected by a four-year crisis. Pro-France Nina Julié becomes minister for education, youth, sports, and childhood protection, while Laurent Bonnefond takes charge of urbanism and land-use planning. Philippe Blaise joins the cabinet to handle budget, finance, and the public service.
Some members represent the pro-independence camp, including Gilbert Tyuienon (Union Calédonienne) and Johanito Wamytan (fisheries, ocean, and the Coral Sea natural park). Ernest Déméné is the new minister for culture, equality, and citizenship matters, and Méryl Marlier is the new minister for social economy, solidarity, and water policies. The only pro-independence party representative, from UNI, is in charge of customs, traditional affairs, and indigenous Kanak cultural heritage.
The cabinet's organization aims to be efficient, avoid redundancies, and focus on coherence and cost-effectiveness. Some terms like tourism and agriculture have been removed from the portfolio list, as these matters will be directly addressed by New Caledonia's three provinces. Tukumuli acknowledged the territory's near-bankruptcy situation, requiring about 13 billion French Pacific Francs (US$125 million) by the end of the month.
He plans to seek financial support from France, potentially converting some loans into non-refundable grants.
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