New Caledonia votes to stay in France; separatists boycott

Voters in the French island territory of New Caledonia chose overwhelmingly Sunday to stay part of France, in a referendum boycotted by pro-independence forces and closely watched around the South Pacific.

French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the result as a resounding confirmation of France's role in the Indo-Pacific, and announced negotiations on the territory's future status. Separatist activists expressed disappointment or resignation.

They had urged a delay in the vote because of the pandemic, and were angry over what they said were French government efforts to sway the campaign. So they called on their supporters to stay away from voting stations.

And they did. Official results showed 96 per cent of those who took part chose to stay in France. Overall turnout was just 42 per cent -- less than half the numbers who showed up in a previous independence referendum last year, where support for breaking away was 46.7 per cent.

"Tonight we are French, and we will stay that way. It's no longer negotiable," said Sonia Backes, president of the Southern Province region and a fervent loyalist.