In a surprising plot twist that no one saw coming – not even Nostradamus – French President Emmanuel Macron suspended proposed voting reform legislation in New Caledonia. This heroic action came amid violent protests that had the idyllic Pacific archipelago resembling a Michael Bay movie set.

The proposed legislation, if enacted, would have extended voting rights to non-indigenous residents, a move that was about as popular as a soggy baguette. The Indigenous Kanak population, fearing this would further dilute their political influence, erupted in unrest. After all, who needs peaceful dialogue when you can express dissent with flammable barricades?

The ensuing violence was not only the worst in decades but also tragically claimed the lives of nine individuals and left hundreds injured. It turned out that the locals were not keen on the French government playing fast and loose with their voting rights. To handle the mayhem, the French government swiftly declared a state of emergency on May 15, sending troop reinforcements to aid local police. Because nothing calms a situation like the arrival of more authority figures in uniforms.

As if civil unrest and national emergencies weren't enough to ruin a good vacation, hundreds of tourists found themselves stranded in the capital, Nouméa, as the airport shut down amid clashes. These visitors got an authentic taste of local culture, albeit through tear gas and makeshift roadblocks.

Interestingly, the voting reform proposals had already passed through both houses of France's parliament in April. The legislation was on the precipice of final approval when Macron decided to dissolve the National Assembly. The timing might not have been a coincidence, raising eyebrows and questions about whether this was an intentional move to prevent the joint session required to rubber-stamp the law.

Meanwhile, the human toll of the unrest was magnified when the French Justice Ministry confirmed the death of a 34-year-old man on June 11, who had succumbed to injuries sustained during a confrontation with police on May 29. New Caledonia's president, Louis Mapou, urged calm, beseeching citizens to dismantle barricades and embrace peace. It turns out, presidential pleas for calm work about as well as a "Keep Off the Grass" sign at a dog park.

To maintain some semblance of order, France extended an overnight curfew across New Caledonia until June 17. Amid the chaos, Macron made the bold (or foolhardy) decision to visit New Caledonia in person. It’s unclear if his presence provided any comfort, but it certainly added to the dramatic unfolding of events.

The unrest was not without context. The Kanak people, who comprise 41 percent of New Caledonia's population, historically resent Paris's power over their islands and have campaigned for fuller autonomy or outright independence. To date, several referenda on the topic have failed, leaving the Kanaks perpetually outvoted and frustrated.

Despite the simmering tensions, Macron's suspension of the voting reform may have provided a temporary balm. The Kanak Liberation Party stressed the importance of rebuilding peace and restoring social ties. How long this fragile peace lasts is anyone's guess, but for now, New Caledonia appears to have averted further disaster.

Only time will tell if Macron’s move was a genuine attempt to preserve stability or a political calculus aimed at diffusing a ticking time bomb. Either way, New Caledonia’s residents can now return to their daily lives, complete with less political strife but probably an increase in souvenir shops selling “I survived the voting reform riots” T-shirts.