On 12 July 2025, a historic agreement was reached in Bougival between the political movements of New Caledonia and representatives of the French authorities. It is about the creation of a new state entity on the basis of the French overseas territory, which will receive autonomy, but will retain ties with Paris and will not become a fully independent state.
The essence of the compromise, as reported by Politico and local publication Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes, is as follows: New Caledonia will be given the right to its own citizenship and the ability to issue dual passports. In addition, the future state will be delegated the right to build its own international relations, and France will undertake to support its economic development and stability.
It came after years of political standoff between the pro-independence, predominantly indigenous Kanaks, and unionists – those who wish to maintain strong ties with France.
The islands saw mass protests in May 2024, which gave the last push for the resumption of the talks. The cause was the decision of the French Parliament to change the electoral system so that all French citizens living in New Caledonia would be able to vote in local elections, and not just those born or with ancestral links to the islands. To the indigenous population, it was a threat to their political autonomy and Paris’ desire to destabilize the independence movement.
The decision on the independence of New Caledonia will have to be approved by the French Parliament and put to a referendum in New Caledonia itself. Only then will the new model of statehood take effect.
