Tomorrow, the electorate of the South Pacific island will vote for the second time in two years on whether to remain an integral, but autonomous part of France, or become an independent state. The political process has been complicated and protracted, with the Noumea Accord of 1998 stating that the first such referendum should be held within 15-20 years, and rather surprisingly, the margin on that occasion was much narrower than expected, with 43% of voters opting for independence in 2018. The politics of the region has been made further divisive through demographics, with the indigenous Kanaks overwhelming pro-independence, while the Europeans and other communities equally unanimous in their attachment to France. As of now, it would seem tomorrow's vote will be a repeat of the first, but even then, a third plebiscite would follow in 2022.
-
-
Again, New Caledonia has voted to remain French, but the pro-independence support has risen 3.5% to 47%, indicating that only enhanced autonomy will resolve the political antagonism:
https://twitter.com/matthieubock/status/1312719088779751424
Comment