New Caledonia's non-independence coalition has emerged as the largest bloc in the legislature after the French Pacific territory's provincial elections, but has fallen short of an outright majority, leaving a small centrist Pacific party in the role of kingmaker.
The elections, held on June 28 after repeated delays, were the first provincial vote since 2019 and followed deadly unrest in 2024 over proposed changes to the local electoral roll, exposing the deep strains in France's relationship with New Caledonia and its Indigenous Kanak population.
The French Pacific territory, about 1500km east of Australia, has around 270,000 inhabitants, including roughly 41 per cent Melanesian Kanaks and 24 per cent of European origin, mostly French, and has long been split between pro-independence and pro-France camps.
Final results published by the High Commission showed Sonia Backes' loyalist alliance, Les Loyalistes-Le Rassemblement, will hold 24 seats of the 54 seats in the Congress, while the pro-indepence block of UC-FLNKS, UNI-Palika and Dynamique Autochtone won 26 seats.
The balance sits with centrist party L'Eveil oceanien, with four seats.
L'Eveil oceanien is expected to be pivotal in deciding whether the next executive leans loyalist or can be shaped by a broader deal.
Under New Caledonia's system, Congress next elects the government by proportional representation. The government members then meet and choose a president and vice president from among themselves.
The outcome is particularly important as this government is expected to be key in shaping future talks with France on the territory's status.
Three referendums, including the most recent in 2021, returned majorities for remaining part of France, but the 2021 vote was boycotted by pro-independence parties, who had asked for a delay during a COVID outbreak and a Kanak mourning period.