1 Dec 2017

New Caledonia to make another attempt at forming govt

6:24 am on 1 December 2017

Media reports from New Caledonia say another attempt will be made today to form a government which would end a three-month political impasse.

The New Caledonia congress.

The New Caledonia congress. Photo: AFP

The territory has been without a properly constituted government since August because the only presidential candidate Philippe Germain repeatedly failed to get a majority of the 11 government ministers to vote for him.

Local television said it understood that the French High Commissioner will convene the ministers to try to re-elect Mr Germain as president.

This comes as New Caledonia is awaiting the arrival of the French prime minister Edouard Philippe this weekend for an official visit to discuss preparations for next year's independence referendum.

Media reports said both pro- and anti-independence politicians have held several rounds of talks.

The anti-independence Caledonian Republicans, which have refused to vote for Mr Germain, have issued a statement, saying they will never approve secret deals.

The statement said there will be a deal for the public and one to be kept private which will move New Caledonia further away from France.

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