Mr. Didier Robert, President of Reunion, last week addressed islanders through a statement diffused through every means available in a bid to see a return to normality. President Robert of the Regional Council of Reunion said: Work collectively to return gradually to a normal life, for families, employees, companies… On the 11th day of the events launched by the Yellow Vests, La Réunion’s economy is suffering from the blow of a paralysis of unprecedented level, with very heavy impacts, that each one has measured in his own way, and for which we must collectively bring solutions.

Personally, as a politician, I have always acted with the concern of the general interest and in compliance with the law: support investment and support companies in the service of activity and employment ; and support also a policy for more equal opportunities. But my actions will not have helped to respond to the distress of all Reunion. I recognize this in all humility. But today everyone will also have to know how to act at their level of responsibility. For the time being, all of us must be ready to dialogue and plan reconstruction. For our island, the answers must be strong on both the immediate issues of employment and purchasing power. The answers must inevitably result in new methods, a new model to ask and to build. A model that takes into account this popular Reunionais expression. A model that takes into account the mistakes of the past. A model that feeds on the strengths of our territory, the qualities and aspirations of all the women and men who make our Reunion Island.

A quick return to “normality” must be found. It is imperative for dialogue and negotiation. The first meetings were initiated with the Prefect at the request of the Yellow Vests who have, from the outset, expressed the wish not to associate politics, trade union or religious representatives and to organize the next negotiations with the French Minister for Overseas Territories . For my part, for 11 days I worked with the regional advisers, in connection with the actors in the field of vocational training, the associative world, economic actors in the same spirit of construction and in search of solutions. The Réunion Region will fully assume its responsibilities, as we have always done, in all circumstances and on all matters that fall within its direct competence and that, shared with the State and other local authorities.