New Caledonia's Labour Party has called for unity among the pro-independence parties as they prepare for next year's provincial elections.
Louis Kotra Uregei Photo: New Caledonia Congress
Its leader Louis Kotra Uregei told the public broadcaster after its party congress in Mare that with a joint strategy they could win a majority and then run New Caledonia as if it was independent.
The Labour Party advised its supporters to stay away from the independence referendum two weeks ago in which just over 56 percent of voters opted for the status quo.
The turnout was over 81 percent but Mr Kotra Uregei says the referendum process showed that not all Kanaks could vote.
In the lead-up to the vote, he said the referendum was an electoral farce.
Mr Kotra Uregei says the pro-independence side now needs to resists a push by the rival side to expand the electoral roll and to do away with the next independence referendum which according to the Noumea Accord can be held in 2020