Socialist lawmakers have confirmed their opposition to an anticipated consultation of New Caledonian voters on the Bougival agreement, scheduled for March 15, 2026. In a letter to the Prime Minister, they call for suspending the initiative, arguing it bypasses the lack of consensus. Their support could have been crucial for the government's project.
On December 3, 2025, the leaders of the Socialist groups in the Senate and National Assembly sent a letter to Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu urging the suspension of the anticipated consultation. This vote, set for March 15, 2026, aims to endorse the agreement signed on July 12 in Bougival, Yvelines, between independentists and non-independentists regarding New Caledonia's institutional future.
Overseas Minister Naïma Moutchou stated that a bill will be introduced in the Senate in January 2026 to enable the poll. Yet, the socialists point out that the agreement lacks consensus in the territory and there is no parliamentary majority to embed it in a constitutional law. At the end of November, Calvados deputy Arthur Delaporte had already voiced deep reservations in an interview with Le Monde, dismissing any bypassing approach.
During a Senate contact group meeting on New Caledonia, chaired by Gérard Larcher, the socialists reiterated their outright refusal. Without their backing, the government struggles to progress on this longstanding contentious issue pitting independentist and loyalist factions.