The New Caledonia congress. Photo: AFP
An anti-independence faction in New Caledonia says it wants to hold the referendum on independence on October 7th next year.
Sonia Backes of the Caledonian Republicans said the date had been submitted for discussion in Congress.
According to the Noumea Accord, Congress can set the referendum date if 60 percent of members agree on it.
Failing that, the French government will set a date for the vote which is to be held no later than in November 2018.
Ms Backes said all sorts of things are being bandied around and she fears moves are afoot to prevent New Caledonians from making a clear choice of either staying with France or full sovereignty.