New Caledonia to hold third independence vote in December

The poll on possible breakaway from France will take place on December 12, French overseas territories minister says.

The French Pacific island of New Caledonia, which rejected independence in two previous referendums, will have a third vote on December 12, France’s overseas territories minister has said. The referendum would be followed by a two-year transition period to allow Paris to clarify its relations with New Caledonia, Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Wednesday. “The government of the republic will organise and call voters concerned by this consultation on December 12, 2021,” he told reporters after a meeting of the French cabinet.