New Caledonia’s non-independence coalition emerged as the largest bloc in the legislature after the French Pacific territory’s provincial elections, but fell short of an outright majority. The elections, held on June 28, were the first provincial vote since 2019 and followed deadly unrest in 2024 over proposed changes to the local electoral roll.
Election Results
Final results published by the High Commission showed Sonia Backes’ loyalist alliance, Les Loyalistes-Le Rassemblement, will hold 24 seats of the 54 seats in the Congress, while the pro-independence block of UC-FLNKS, UNI-Palika and Dynamique Autochtone won 26 seats. The balance sits with centrist party L’Eveil oceanien, with four seats.
The outcome is particularly important as this government is expected to be key in shaping future talks with France on the territory’s status. Three referendums, including the most recent in 2021, returned majorities for remaining part of France, but the 2021 vote was boycotted by pro-independence parties, who had asked for a delay during a COVID outbreak and a Kanak mourning period.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
