14 Nov 2016

New Caledonia party opts for election boycott

3:58 pm on 14 November 2016

One of New Caledonia's main pro-independence parties has decided to boycott next year's French legislative elections.

Kanak and French flags on Ouvea island.

Kanak and French flags on Ouvea island. Photo: AFP

At its weekend Congress, the Caledonian Union agreed not to stand a candidate in the election of a new French National Assembly and Senate.

It said this was part of a disengagement process which is linked to the territory's 2018 independence referendum.

New Caledonia has two seats in each of the parlimentary chambers and all are held by anti-independence politicians.

Other pro-independence parties plan to stand candidates.

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