Caledonia Together Party politician Gérard Poadja has been elected president of the New Caledonia Congress.
Mr Poadja gained 28 votes, the absolute majority needed in the third round of voting in the annual election for the presidency of the 54 seat territorial legislature.
He was one of two loyalists facing incumbent president and pro-independence leader Roch Wamytan.
Simon Loueckhote of the Movement for Diversity withdrew after the second round of voting.
Mr Poadja says he wants to make the Congress more democratic and transparent.
He is the first northern province candidate to be elected to the presidency.