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France Moves Up New Caledonia Vote on Bougival Deal Before Constitutional Revision

The government advanced a citizen vote to preserve the Bougival timetable disrupted by national political turmoil.

Overview

  • Overseas minister Naïma Moutchou said a citizen consultation will be held ahead of Parliament’s constitutional revision, likely in February.
  • The FLNKS reaffirmed its rejection of the Bougival project and warned that pushing it through without the Front could lead to lasting instability.
  • Loyalist leaders welcomed the move, while Calédonie ensemble cautioned that a referendum should not proceed without a prior broad consensus.
  • The independence movement’s split widened as Palika formally left the FLNKS and validated the agreement, altering the local political balance.
  • The ministry said implementation talks and an economic recovery plan will proceed, but no new funding was announced and converting part of the €1 billion state‑guaranteed loan into a grant is not on the agenda.