New Caledonia Holds Provincial Elections to Decide Power Balance Before Status Talks

新喀里多尼亞舉行省選，在地位談判前決定權力分配

Jun 28, 2026, 15:50

Introduction

New Caledonia has finished its first provincial elections since 2019. These elections establish how power is shared before new diplomatic talks with France begin regarding the territory's political future.

新喀里多尼亞已完成 2019 年以來首次省選。此次選舉決定了在與法國就領土政治未來展開新外交談判前，權力如何分配。

Main Body

About 192,000 eligible voters participated in the process to elect 76 councillors for three provincial assemblies. From this group, 54 representatives will form the Congress, which is the main body responsible for making local laws and appointing an 11-member government. Early results show a strong victory for pro-France groups in the Southern Province, where the alliance of Les Loyalistes and Le Rassemblement won about 50% of the vote. Consequently, this alliance is expected to hold 24 seats in the Congress, although they do not have a full majority.

約 192,000 名合資格選民參與了此次選舉，選出三個省議會的 76 名議員。從中 54 名代表將組成議會，這是負責制定當地法律並任命 11 人政府的主要機構。初步結果顯示，親法派在南省贏得大勝，由 Les Loyalistes 和 Le Rassemblement 組成的聯盟獲得了約 50% 的選票。因此，預計該聯盟將在議會中持有 24 個席位，儘管他們未達到絕對多數。

Historically, there has been significant tension between the indigenous Kanak people and those who wish to remain part of France. This conflict led to violent unrest in 2024, which caused 14 deaths and over two billion euros in damages after a proposal to change voting rights. As a result, the 2024 elections were delayed. However, a new law in May expanded the voter list to include over 10,000 native-born residents, updating a registry that had not changed since 1998.

歷史上，原住民卡納克人與希望留在法國的人之間存在顯著緊張關係。這場衝突導致 2024 年發生暴力動亂，在提出修改投票權的建議後，造成 14 人死亡及超過 20 億歐元的損失。因此，2024 年的選舉被推遲。然而，5 月的一項新法擴大了選民名單，將超過 10,000 名本地出生居民納入，更新了自 1998 年以來未曾變更的登記冊。

To improve the situation, the Bougival Accord was proposed to create a Caledonian state within the French system. However, pro-independence groups rejected this deal because it would prevent future votes on independence. While three previous referendums between 2018 and 2021 showed that most people wanted to stay with France, independence supporters boycotted the final vote due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

為了改善狀況，有人提出《布吉瓦協定》(Bougival Accord)，旨在法國體系內建立一個喀里多尼亞國家。然而，親獨立團體拒絕了這項協議，因為這將阻止未來就獨立進行投票。雖然 2018 年至 2021 年間的三次公民投票顯示大多數人希望留在法國，但獨立支持者因 COVID-19 疫情抵制了最後一次投票。

Conclusion

The elections ended under strict security with a final turnout of 63.7%, preparing the way for negotiations that are scheduled to restart in July.

選舉在嚴密保安下結束，最終投票率為 63.7%，為預計於 7 月重新開始的談判鋪路。

Vocabulary Learning

🚀 The B2 Power-Up: Moving from 'And' to 'Logical Connectors'

At an A2 level, you usually connect ideas with simple words like and, but, and because. To reach B2, you need to show cause-and-effect and contrast using more sophisticated transitions.

Look at these three patterns from the text that change the "vibe" of the writing from basic to professional:

1. The Result-Maker: Consequently & As a result

Instead of saying "So, they won," the author uses:

"Consequently, this alliance is expected to hold 24 seats..." "As a result, the 2024 elections were delayed."

B2 Tip: Use these at the start of a sentence to show that the second sentence is a direct mathematical or logical consequence of the first. It makes you sound more analytical.

2. The Pivot: However

While A2 students use but in the middle of a sentence, B2 students use However to start a new sentence that contradicts the previous point.

"...did not change since 1998. However, a new law in May expanded the voter list..."

The Shift:

A2: The law was old, but it changed.
B2: The law was old. However, it changed in May.

3. The Balancing Act: While

While is a "magic word" for B2. It allows you to put two opposing facts into one elegant sentence.

"While three previous referendums... showed that most people wanted to stay... independence supporters boycotted the final vote."

How it works: You are presenting two different realities at the same time. This proves to an examiner that you can handle complex sentence structures (subordination).

Quick Guide for your next writing:

Instead of...	Try using...	Why?
So	$\rightarrow$ Consequently	More formal/Academic
But	$\rightarrow$ However	Better rhythm and flow
Although	$\rightarrow$ While	Sophisticated contrast

Vocabulary Learning

eligible (adj.)

Having the right to do something or satisfy the necessary conditions to participate.

Example:Only eligible voters who are registered can participate in the upcoming election.

consequently (adv.)

As a result of something that has happened.

Example:The company failed to innovate; consequently, it lost its market share to competitors.

indigenous (adj.)

Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native.

Example:The government is working to protect the land rights of the indigenous people.

unrest (n.)

A state of dissatisfaction, disturbance, or violence, typically within a community or country.

Example:Economic hardship often leads to social unrest and public protests.

registry (n.)

An official list or record of names, items, or events.

Example:The clerk checked the land registry to confirm who owned the property.

boycotted (v.)

Refused to participate in or buy something as a way of protesting.

Example:Many consumers boycotted the brand after learning about its poor environmental record.

turnout (n.)

The number of people who attend a particular event or vote in an election.

Example:There was a surprisingly high turnout for the local council elections this year.

Practice B2 words in a crossword→