In a major transformation, the incoming government of #NewCaledonia has a pro-independence majority. For the first time in nearly forty years, it will be led by an independence leader. This afternoon, New Caledonia’s 54-member Congress chose eleven new members of the government.

Six members of the new government are supporters of the independence coalition FLNKS: three from UC-FLNKS (Samuel Hnepeune, Gilbert Tyuienon and Mickael Forrest); three from Union nationale pour l’independance (Louis Mapou, Yannick Slamet and Adolphe Digoue).

Four members of the outgoing Santa government have returned from the anti-independence coalition Avenir en Confiance: former President Thierry Santa, Christopher Gyges, Isabelle Champmoreau (the only woman in the new government) and Yoann Lecourieux.

The anti-independence party Calédonie ensemble, which dominated politics for a decade between 2009 and 2019, gained the last of the eleven seats, with their representative Joseph Manauté.

In an unexpected move, the government members met immediately after the vote – rather than next week - to choose a new President and Vice President from amongst their ranks. More news as the night wears on and a full report in the morning at Islands Business magazine @IBIupdate