Overview
- The organic law sets the provincial vote for no later than 28 June 2026 after a 279–247 approval in the National Assembly and a wider endorsement in the Senate.
- Lawmakers removed explicit references to the Bougival agreement from the postponement text during inter‑chamber negotiations to lower tensions.
- The government briefly placed a related constitutional bill on the January agenda before withdrawing it the same day, drawing criticism over mixed signals.
- The pro‑independence FLNKS rejects Bougival and the delay and plans a Friday protest in Nouméa, while some officials warn of security risks recalling 14 deaths in 2024 unrest.
- Overseas Minister Naïma Moutchou pledges no forced passage and calls for renewed dialogue, as ministers float an economic recovery plan including support for the nickel sector.