Overview
- The French government, which on Thursday set the vote for June 28, proposed adding people born in New Caledonia and spouses of Caledonians to the voter list, covering about 11,000 new 'natifs'.
- The change needs an organic law in Parliament, or the election will use the 1998 frozen roll that limits voting to long‑term residents and their children.
- Pro‑independence FLNKS opposed the unilateral opening and said any change must come within a broader agreement on the archipelago’s future.
- Passage in Parliament could depend on votes from the Socialist Party and the National Rally, according to AFP.
- A broader opening attempted in 2024 to include all residents with 10 years on the islands led to months of unrest with 14 deaths, underscoring the security risks tied to electoral rules.