The French Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe, has announced the second referendum on self-determination in the Canary Islands, in the New Caledonia region. Therefore, on 6 September 2020, when the people of New Caledonia vote, will their right to self-determination be determined or will they be able to vote?

This referendum was decided after the “facts” of Évènements in 1988. In 1988, four gendarmes were kidnapped by members of the organization FLNKS (Canarian Socialist Front for Freedom) and after 19 Canakos killed by the French State an agreement was reached in Matignon. The negotiating parties voted through a “national” referendum a special status for the Canary people. In other words, the entire electorate of the French State approved – with the massive abstention of the Metropolis – the new title of the French Constitution of New Caledonia. Subsequently, implementation of the referendum on political sovereignty was planned. In the Treaty of Nouméa (1998), among others, the independentists (FLNKS), those of Caledonia against independence (RPCR) and the French State agreed on a question of self-determination. The pact was approved by a local referendum (72 per cent in favour). From there, they could organise three self-determination consultations: the first in 2018 – lost by the independentists – and next year they have called for a new referendum. In total, there are three possibilities for voting on the sovereignty of the Canarian people, which in many cases has been seen as a gift from France to the independentists. At this stage, the electoral body could be different: Those who in 1998 had the right to vote in New Caledonia and those who had resided in the territory for 20 years could vote for their vote.

The consequence of a long process of colonization was the debate of this small constituent. Who could vote? The whole republic? Canaquis? The people of New Caledonia? Finally, this conflict took centre stage. Colonization conquers territories and assimilates them; the Canary people are no exception. In this case, the population – and the vote – is by no means a mirror of reality. By 2020 the vote will hardly achieve the decolonization of the island. Therefore, the right to self-determination is a right; and not a process that is agreed by a majority. If a State accepts it, it cannot negotiate, but enforce the law. On the other hand, can the majority decide on the sovereignty of the minority?