One of New Caledonia's main pro-independence parties has decided to boycott next year's French legislative elections.
Kanak and French flags on Ouvea island. Photo: AFP
At its weekend Congress, the Caledonian Union agreed not to stand a candidate in the election of a new French National Assembly and Senate.
It said this was part of a disengagement process which is linked to the territory's 2018 independence referendum.
New Caledonia has two seats in each of the parlimentary chambers and all are held by anti-independence politicians.
Other pro-independence parties plan to stand candidates.