New Caledonia

French national politics have once again cast a shadow on New Caledonia's issues even though the French Pacific territory is facing a pressing schedule.

A controversial piece of legislation to postpone the date for New Caledonia's crucial provincial elections passed its first hurdle in the French Senate on Wednesday.

As part of a never-ending rollercoaster of instability in French politics, the latest appointment of Naïma Moutchou has caused significant concern, including in New Caledonia.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu tendered his resignation on Monday, only hours after the announcement of a new government.

Manuel Valls' return to the role is expected to advance the sensitive project that directly concerns New Caledonia's political future.

The announcement of the latest Paris court ruling has once again triggered a torrent of diverse reactions to Christian Téin's return to the French Pacific territory.

An earlier version of this story reported the heritage of a man shot and killed in New Caledonia on 18 September as being of Kanak heritage. This has been corrected...

France has deployed heavy security forces in New Caledonia ahead of the anniversary of its "taking possession" of the territory on 24 September 1853.

France's Constitutional Council has ruled that New Caledonia's list of eligible voters for local election should stay "frozen" for the time being.

The date for the provincial elections has already been postponed twice, and the French territory's lawmakers have endorsed a third postponement amid ongoing political division.

Sébastien Lecornu, 39, is no stranger to the French territory, having played a key role in a series of three self-determination referendums held between 2018 and 2021.

French Polynesia's leader says France has the "opportunity to reinvent" itself by "achieving a good decolonisation" in New Caledonia. Audio

However, they did not have to wait for too long as outgoing Armies (Defence) Minister Sébastien Lecornu is now the new prime minister.