New Caledonia Votes for First Time in Seven Years After 2024 Violence

New Caledonia held provincial elections on June 28, 2026—the first since 2019—under heavy security. The vote was delayed from 2024 after Paris's attempt to expand voting eligibility sparked civil unrest that killed people, destroyed property, and paralyzed nickel exports. The franchise dispute remains unresolved: France restricted voting to protect Kanak political weight, but independence parties view any change as rigging post-referendum negotiations.