23 Feb 2015

France implores New Caledonia to end stalemate

1:22 pm on 23 February 2015

The French High Commissioner to New Caledonia, Vincent Bouvier, says the political impasse in the territory is not acceptable.

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Photo: RNZ

The territory has entered a third month without a president, leaving the administration in caretaker mode while divisions within the dominant anti-independence camp show no sign of easing.

The public broadcaster says the French president, Francois Hollande, has also called the territory's leaders and asked them to assume their responsibilities and elect a president.

The Caledonia Together Party triggered the demise of the last government in December, ending a power-sharing deal that had given the presidency to Cynthia Ligeard of the Front for Unity.

Being the biggest anti-independence party, Caledonia Together now wants the presidency but has been unable to secure a majority within the 11-member government.

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