Four New Caledonian anti-independence parties have agreed to a joint declaration of unity ahead of this weekend's run-off election of a new French National Assembly.
The French National Assembly Photo: AFP
They call to work for a New Caledonia that stays with France and lives in peace.
This comes amid worsening rifts within the anti-independence camp which have been exacerbated by the election campaign.
An unsuccessful candidate and former president Harold Martin said in this weekend's run-off, voters should choose the pro-independence candidate Louis Mapou over Philippe Gomes, who is the most prominent anti-independence politician and the incumbent in the Paris seat.
The local National Front chapter also urged voters not to vote for Mr Gomes.
A senior member of the Republicans Gael Yanno said unless there is a change the loyalist camp will end up destroying itself.
The declaration said there is a need to prepare for a future within France as the independence referendum is due next year while there is huge change of the political landscape in France.
The sudden rise of the Emmanuel Macron-led movement has removed all French veteran leaders who had been involved in the decolonisation process outlined in the 1998 Noumea Accord.
