New Caledonia polls open in first local vote in the French territory since 2019

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New Caledonia has opened its first provincial elections since 2019 in a crucial step before upcoming negotiations with France regarding the territory's status. The election outcome will shape the power balance ahead of talks focused on independence, which remains the territory’s central political issue.

Election will determine balance of power in New Caledonia before fresh negotiations with France on the territory’s status Polls opened in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia on Sunday for the archipelago’s first provincial elections since 2019, after the vote was delayed as talks stalled over its political future. The election, initially planned for 2024, will determine the balance of power in New Caledonia ahead of fresh negotiations with France on the territory’s status, with independence remaining the defining political issue. Continue reading...