Shortly after his arrival in Pointe-à-Pitre on Sunday afternoon, the Minister of Overseas Territories explained that he wanted to reconcile firmness and dialogue. But in the end, Sébastien Lecornu’s iron fist quickly removed his velvet glove. The minister only met briefly on Monday with the inter-union and announced the dispatch of 70 mobile gendarmes and 10 additional members of the GIGN to Guadeloupe to deal with violence during the social crisis.
Sébastien Lecornu judged that no discussion is possible as long as the unions “do not want to condemn assassination attempts against police officers and gendarmes”, a “preliminary however obvious and indispensable”. His meeting with four union representatives from the UGTG and FO was therefore reduced to a simple handing over of “demand documents”.
A rather quiet second night
The minister also called for “awareness” in the face of violence. “When we shoot and water 9 millimeters in the streets”, it is “a miracle that a child of 9 or 10” did not “find himself under these bullets”. He also sharply criticized union officials who “began to seek amnesties” for the perpetrators. According to him, they participate in a “dangerous junction between what happens at night and during the day” during the social movement. Like the previous one, the night from Sunday to Monday was however quieter, according to a police source.
For the unions, Sébastien Lecornu “did not come to negotiate, but because he was forced by the balance of power that we have established”. According to Maïté Hubert-M’Toumo, of the UGTG, the “priority” demands are always “the end of the suspensions of unvaccinated personnel and liberal professions”, the “suspension of convictions of people for violence”, and an “emergency plan for the qualification of young people and the working conditions of Guadeloupe families”.
The mistrust of some of the local elected officials
Guadeloupean local elected officials have also decided not to attend a meeting scheduled with Sébastien Lecornu who regretted the absence of these “elected officials”, “a little more politicized”, but stressed that “16 mayors” participated in the meeting. the meeting.
Born from the refusal of the vaccination obligation for caregivers and firefighters, the movement has spread to political and social demands, in particular against the high cost of living. Sébastien Lecornu reiterated that the vaccine obligation, postponed to December 31, would not be lifted, because “the laws of the Republic are intended to apply” in the French Antilles. However, the minister proposed an “adjustment” to “reintegrate into their salaries” (pay salaries) caregivers who will end up being vaccinated or those who will confirm to their employers a change of direction. The others “will be clearly notified” of their suspension until further notice.