New Caledonia: Final vote count confirms political deadlock

The French High Commission has released the final certified results of New Caledonia's provincial elections, confirming a political deadlock that leaves neither side able to govern without support from a small centrist party.

The official figures lock in the make-up of the territory's 54-seat Congress, which will appoint the next government and play a central role in talks with France over New Caledonia's future.

While Sunday's vote confirmed another strong showing for anti-independence parties in the Southern Province, the final numbers reveal a more complicated picture.

The loyalist camp will be the largest political force in Congress with 24 seats. But those seats are split between separate parties rather than a single united bloc.

Analysts say this makes it harder for them to negotiate with one voice or secure enough support to elect a president on their own.

On the other side, pro-independence parties have secured a combined 26 seats after holding onto their strong support in the Northern and Loyalty Islands provinces.

Election officials count ballots after voting closed in New Caledonia. The final certified results confirm a political deadlock, with a small centrist party now holding the balance of power in the 54-seat Congress. Photo/Nic Maclellan/file

The Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) has been approached for comment on how it views the final result and its priorities heading into crucial talks with France next month on New Caledonia's political future.

That leaves the four-seat Éveil Océanien (Oceanian Awakening) party in the middle.

With neither camp able to reach the 28 seats needed for an outright majority, the centrist party now holds the deciding votes that could determine who forms the next government and how major political decisions are made.

The final election tally has set the stage for crucial talks between New Caledonian leaders and France next month, as political parties seek a path forward following the closely contested provincial elections. Photo/NC la 1ère

The official results also provide a clearer picture of voter participation across the territory.

Overall turnout finished at 63.7 per cent, down from 66.5 per cent at the last provincial election in 2019.

The detailed breakdown shows the biggest falls in turnout came in several rural areas and Kanak-majority communities while participation remained stronger in parts of Noumēa and other loyalist areas.

The vote was the first provincial election since the deadly unrest that swept across New Caledonia in 2024 following proposed changes to the electoral roll.

The publication of the final results this week now closes the electoral phase and shifts attention to the next political challenge.

The newly elected Congress must appoint a government before French and New Caledonian leaders meet in Paris next month for talks on the territory's long-term political future.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has said all political parties have committed to returning to the negotiating table after the election.

Talks are due to begin in July and aimed at reaching an agreement on New Caledonia's future political status "before the end of the year".

With the numbers now officially confirmed, neither the loyalist nor the independence camp can move forward without building alliances and this places the spotlight firmly on Éveil Océanien as negotiations begin.

PMN News has contacted the FLNKS for comment on the official results and what they mean ahead of next month's talks with France on New Caledonia's political future. A response had not been received by the time of publication.