Paris: French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced on October 14, 2025, that the government plans to initiate discussions on institutional reforms for New Caledonia, a French overseas territory in the Pacific, by the end of the year. This initiative aims to address the region's political status and will include a public consultation with New Caledonians in the spring of 2026.
The reform discussions are expected to focus on redefining New Caledonia's relationship with France, potentially leading to a restructuring of its political and administrative framework. This moves underscores France's commitment to reassessing and potentially reshaping its relationship with its overseas territories.
The proposed reforms come in the wake of previous political tensions in New Caledonia, including the suspension of an electoral reform in 2024 following civil unrest. The upcoming discussions are anticipated to address these past issues and seek a more stable and representative governance structure for the territory.
The government's decision to involve the local population through a public consultation reflects a commitment to democratic processes and local engagement in shaping the future of New Caledonia. The outcomes of these discussions and the subsequent consultation will likely play a significant role in determining the territory's political trajectory in the coming years.