New Caledonia's pro-independence Palika party has come out in favour of the Socialist politician Francois Hollande as preferred candidate for the French presidential election.
He is expected to stand against Nicolas Sarkozy who is yet to announce his candidacy and who five years ago had his best result in New Caledonia.
The Palika party has also discussed the territory's moves to implement the Noumea Accord on greater autonomy.
The Palika leader and president of the northern province Paul Neaoutyine says questions have arisen over whether the accord will be fully implemented as 2014 approaches and when the last phase of the 20-year deal is to begin.
There is growing debate in the territory about how to work with the Accord which calls for a vote on self-determination between 2014 and 2018.