Overview
- The Senate approved Monday the organic bill to add 10,569 native-born New Caledonians to the provincial voter list, passing it 304 to 20.
- A government bid to also include spouses married or partnered for at least five years was defeated in the Senate over constitutionality concerns.
- The text now moves to the National Assembly for a fast-track vote on Wednesday, with support less certain after left groups warned against a change without pro-independence backing.
- Earlier Monday, New Caledonia’s territorial Congress endorsed the approach with 25 votes for, 14 against and 14 abstentions, clearing the way for the Paris debate.
- The push follows years of tension over a frozen roll limited to those resident in 1998 and their descendants, a rule tied to deadly 2024 riots and one that now leaves about 17% of residents without a provincial vote.