Following Minister Naïma Moutchou's announcement of a delay, the French government has abandoned plans—at least for now—to introduce a bill for an early consultation of New Caledonians on the Bougival agreement. Emmanuel Macron will convene stakeholders in Paris in mid-January 2026.
The Council of Ministers meeting on December 17 will not include the bill for an early consultation originally set for March 15, 2026, on the Bougival agreement signed in July between the state, independentists, and non-independentists to establish a State of New Caledonia within France.
This follows the delay signaled by Overseas Minister Naïma Moutchou after the failure of an expert mission and amid ongoing opposition, including from the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS). Most signatories seek amendments for consensus, and the plan lacked parliamentary support from socialists and centrists.
FLNKS leaders have urged dropping the agreement entirely. President Emmanuel Macron plans to gather New Caledonia's political forces in Paris in mid-January 2026 to relaunch discussions.
