The assembly of New Caledonia's southern province has elected Philippe Michel of the Caledonia Together Party as the new president.
After an arrangement among the three anti-independence parties, Mr Michel was elected in the first round with 33 votes to the seven cast for Roch Wamytan of the pro-independence coalition.
Mr Michel succeeds Cynthia Ligeard who is expected to be chosen as the territory's president once the new Congress is established.
Ms Ligeard will succeed Harold Martin who stood on her list in last Sunday's provincial election.
Photo: Province Sud
The vote in the assembly in Noumea was overshadowed by plans by the pro-independence Caledonian Union to annul the poll, saying the rolls were flawed and therefore the election was flawed.
In the northern province, Paul Neaoutyine, has been re-elected.
The Loyalty Islands province has again elected Niko Hnepeune as its provincial president.
In 2009, fresh elections were called in the Loyalty Islands province after a successful complaint about improperly cast proxy votes.
