18 Jun 2011

French Senate approves changes to New Caledonia electoral law

11:22 am on 18 June 2011

The French Senate has unanimously approved the proposed change to New Caledonia's electoral law.

The vote comes amid a threat from the Caledonia Together party to bring down the government for the fourth time in just over 3 months.

The change proposes that any new government will be given an 18 month grace period.

The process requires the National Assembly to approve the law which is expected to be finalised in a month.

A spokesperson for the New Caledonian government says the political crisis may only end once the new law has been put in place.

New Caledonia's leaders are meanwhile due back in Paris within the next month for

talks on the future of the Noumea Accord.