A party formed in New Caledonia just two months ago has become the potential kingmaker after the weekend election of a new Congress.
The Pacific Awakening party, which emanates from the migrant Polynesian community of Wallisians and Futunians, has secured three of the 54 seats.
The anti-independence side has 25 seats and the pro-independence bloc 26, meaning both are just a couple of votes short of a majority.
Walter Zweifel reports.