New Caledonia Rejects Independence From France

 

France 24: ‘Tonight France is more beautiful’: Macron hails New Caledonia’s rejection of independence 

French President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday that "a period of transition" would begin for New Caledonia after voters overwhelmingly rejected independence, adding that "France is more beautiful" with the Pacific islands included. 

"A period of transition is beginning. Free from the binary choice of 'Yes' or 'No', we must now build a common project, while recognising and respecting the dignity of everyone," the head of state said in a recorded message. 

He said that the country could be "proud" of the process designed to settle the status of the islands under which residents were asked in three separate referendums if they wished to break away from France.  

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WNU Editor: The vote was not even close. With 90 percent of ballots counted, 96 percent of voters voted ‘No’ to independence. 

New Caledonia Rejects Independence From France  

New Caledonia votes to stay in France; separatists boycott -- AP  

New Caledonia rejects split from France in vote marred by boycott -- The Guardian  

New Caledonia rejects independence in final vote amid boycott -- Reuters  

New Caledonia votes No to independence from France -- Financial Times  

New Caledonia rejects independence from France in third vote -- Al Jazeera

New Caledonia Votes In Referendum On Independence From France

 

France 24: New Caledonia votes in tense final referendum on independence from France 

The Pacific territory of New Caledonia voted Sunday in a third and final referendum on independence from France with campaigning marked by angry demands to call off the vote because of the Covid pandemic. 

The territory, 2,000 kilometres (1,250 miles) east of Australia, was granted three independence referendums under a 1988 deal aimed at easing tensions on the islands. 

 Having rejected a breakaway from their French former colonial masters in 2018 and then again last year, the territory's 185,000 voters are being asked one last time: "Do you want New Caledonia to accede to full sovereignty and become independent?" 

The vote comes against the backdrop of increasingly strained ties between Paris and its regional allies.  

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New Caledonia Votes In Referendum On Independence From France  

New Caledonia: fears of unrest as polls open for vote on independence from France -- The Guardian  

New Caledonia to vote in 3rd referendum on whether to remain French -- Euronews  

New Caledonia's pro-independence groups say they'll contest today's referendum results with plans to abstain in protest -- ABC News Australia  

New Caledonia might be about to break from France. Here's why the world is watching -- NPR 

Stay French, or not? New Caledonia holds independence vote -- AP

New Caledonia Rejects A Second Independence Referendum

 

ABC News Online: New Caledonia says no to independence for a second time 

Voters in New Caledonia have narrowly rejected independence for a second time in two years, choosing instead to remain with France. 

Provisional results released by the French Government show 53.26 per cent of people voted No in Sunday's independence referendum, while 46.74 per cent cast their ballot for Yes — with approximately 10,000 votes separating the two sides. 

It was a stronger result for the Yes camp than the previous referendum in 2018, where 43.33 per cent of voters supported independence. 

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 More News On New Caledonia Rejecting A Second Independence Referendum 

New Caledonia rejects independence from France -- France 24 

New Caledonia referendum: South Pacific territory rejects independence from France -- BBC 

New Caledonia rejects independence from France for second time -- The Guardian 

New Caledonia says 'non' to independence from France -- CNN 

New Caledonia votes to reject independence from France -- SKY News 

New Caledonia rejects independence from France in referendum -- UPI 

New Caledonia referendum: why the French overseas territory voted on independence from France - and results explained -- The Scotsman

French Pacific Territory Of New Caledonia Reject Independence

BBC: New Caledonia: French Pacific territory rejects independence

Voters in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia have rejected a bid for independence.

Final results showed that 56.4% chose to remain part of France while 43.6% voted to leave - a tighter result than some polls had predicted.

Turnout was about 81%. The vote was promised in a 1988 deal that put an end to a violent campaign for independence.

President Emmanuel Macron said it showed "confidence in the French republic".

"I have to tell you how proud I am that we have finally passed this historic step together," he added.

The referendum passed peacefully but some unrest was reported after polls closed.

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WNU Editor: A resounding rejection for independence.

More News On New Caledonia Rejecting Independence

Pacific territory of New Caledonia rejects independence from France -- France 24
New Caledonia rejects independence from France -- DW
Macron hails New Caledonia vote to 'remain French' -- Al Jazeera
Pacific's New Caledonia rejects independence from France -- UPI
New Caledonia voters say 'Non' to independence from France -- New Zealand Herald
New Caledonia chooses to stay with France, Macron -- Stuff.co.nz
New Caledonians Vote ‘Non’ on Frexit, Will Maintain French Connection -- The Wall Street Journal
A French territory flirted with independence today -- Quartz
Voters in Pacific territory choose to keep ties with France -- PBS