Photo: AFP
New Caledonia's anti-independence parties have called for a rally on Friday to show that most of the people want to remain French.
The rally is planned to be held outside the French High Commission in Noumea and to coincide with the arrival of the president of the French National Assembly.
Walter Zweifel reports.
The rally is to say no to independence and for New Caledonia to remain French.
The parties accuse the French Socialist government of siding with the pro-independence camp while a majority in New Caledonia wants to stay French.
They are incensed at a law proposal before the Senate which would automatically enrol only indigenous Kanaks for the indepedendence referendum due by 2018.
This means, they say, that tens of thousands will be forced to prove that they are Caledonians as well.
A similar pro-French rally was held last November when the French President paid a brief visit to Noumea.