New Caledonia Agreement: Political Leaders Emphasize Collaboration Amid Challenges
Political reactions unfold following the July 2025 New Caledonia agreement, signaling challenges ahead.
Key Points
- • President Macron convened leaders for the New Caledonia agreement on July 12, 2025.
- • The agreement requires a constitutional amendment and provincial election postponement.
- • Voter acceptance of the agreement will occur in February 2026.
- • Leaders express the need for collaboration amidst skepticism and challenges.
On July 12, 2025, President Emmanuel Macron met in Paris with political leaders to finalize the significant 'last chance' agreement concerning New Caledonia's political future. This pact arose from extensive negotiations that demanded considerable concessions from both pro-independence factions, like FLNKS, and non-independence groups, notably the Loyalists.
Emmanuel Tjibaou, representing FLNKS, acknowledged the difficult road ahead, stating, "This morning, when we pass the door, we will be insulted, threatened, because we have chosen a different path." He clarified that while the agreement does not guarantee immediate sovereignty, it represents a collective commitment to the region's governance. In contrast, Sonia Backès, the leader of the Loyalists, expressed skepticism about the agreement's hopeful title, 'the bet on trust,' emphasizing the need for collaboration among all parties due to the intertwined mechanisms established by the agreement.
Looking ahead, key legislative actions are necessary to implement the agreement. The French Parliament is set to draft a constitutional bill that will amend Title XIII of the French Constitution and establish a law that postpones provincial elections to June 2026. This legal framework is expected to be in place by November 2025, preparing for a referendum where Caledonians will vote on the acceptance of the agreement in February 2026, a critical step in New Caledonia’s ongoing political evolution.
The discussion led by President Macron highlighted the importance of ensuring that all New Caledonians understand and embrace this agreement. Gérard Larcher, the President of the Senate, called for a "pedagogy of the agreement" to facilitate this understanding and foster a collaborative atmosphere among stakeholders, despite lingering distrust from previous conflicts.