Independentists and non-independence of New Caledonia reached an agreement on Friday night on Saturday. If the journey of the text written in Bougival, in the Yvelines, still has to go through different approvals, it acts the creation of a kind of “state integrated into France”, in the words of a loyalist (non-independence).
The Head of State describes this signature as “historic”. In a message in particular put online on X, Emmanuel Macron, adds that a “state of New Caledonia in the Republic: it is the bet of confidence”. “The time is now for the respect, stability and addition of good will to build a shared future,” concludes the one who will receive the different parties at 6 pm this Saturday.
After more than ten days of discussions, elected officials from New Caledonia and state representatives have entered into a historic agreement.
A state of New Caledonia in the Republic: it is the bet of confidence.
Thank you to the Minister …
– Emmanuel Macron (@emmanuelmacron) July 12, 2025
The text provides that this state of New Caledonia will have a fundamental law and will be able to modify the identity signs of the country (name, flag, hymn, currency), include a code of citizenship, as well as a charter of Caledonian values. A nationality is also implemented. It will be acquired under certain conditions. The beneficiaries will be French and Caledonian. Renouncing French nationality would renounce Caledonian nationality.
No competence in defense and security
New Caledonia will exercise full competence in international relations, in its fields of skills, except for defense and security. She will conduct her diplomatic actions “while respecting her international commitments and the interests of France”, specifies the text.
Prime Minister François Bayrou expressed his “pride of an agreement up to history”. “Honorary to the courageous negotiators, thank you to Mr. Valls”, the Minister of Overseas, adds, on X also, the head of government. He acts, using capital letters, the creation of a “state of New Caledonia within the national whole, inscribed in the Constitution”.
New Caledonia: Pride of an agreement up to history: unique organization of a “New Caledonia State” within the National Ensemble, inscribed in the Constitution of the French Republic “. Honor to the courageous negotiators, thank you to Mr. Valls. It was possible!
– François Bayrou (@Bayrou) July 12, 2025
In a reaction sent to AFP (Agency France Press), Manuel Valls salutes “the choice of courage and responsibility”. He welcomes a “major commitment, the fruit of a long work of negotiations” in an attempt to trace an institutional future in the French Pacific territory.
In a press release, the loyalists and the rally-LR welcomes “a historical agreement” able to “establish a new era of stability”. They highlight the fact that the agreement will allow “the reopening of the electoral body to many Caledonians”. One of the points of the agreement stipulates that the local electorate will be open to residents in New Caledonia for at least ten years from the provincial elections of 2031, while the reform of the electoral body had been at the origin of the riots of May 2024, which left 14 dead.
Mélenchon evokes “deep” institutional upheavals
“A status in France. With Caledonians who remain French. No more referendum in sight except that which will be organized to validate this agreement. An opening of the electoral body, ”synthesized the non -independence deputy Nicolas Metzdorf.
The president of the National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, praised a moment when “everyone has risen to the height of history, to reconnect the dialogue and lead to a historical agreement”. She believes that “hope is reborn for New Caledonia”.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of rebellious France, has sent a warning. “It will be essential to analyze the consequences on the constitutional status of France and its principles deeply upset by these provisions. »»