Three anti-independence parties in New Caledonia say it would be a mistake not to expect a response from them if Paris decides to postpone next month's referendum on independence from France.
The pro-independence parties, which want the plebiscite to be deferred until next year because of the impact of the pandemic on campaigning and on Kanak people in mourning, say they will boycott the vote on 12 December.
In a joint news conference, the anti-independence parties said the French state had to stop being ambiguous and confirm the December date.
It is not clear how the three parties will react, should the vote not go ahead as originally scheduled.
Last week, the French overseas minister Sebastien Lecornu said Paris would make a final decision in ten days after saying for weeks that only an out-of-control pandemic could change the date.
Sebastien Lecornu Photo: AFP or licensors
The president of the Southern Province Sonia Backes said although 268 people died of Covid-19 since early September, the crisis is over, and campaigning can proceed without difficulties.
Another anti-independence politician Gil Brial said New Caledonia is in trouble and France should not cave in to threats by the pro-independence side.
Sonia Backes Photo: Facebook
Meanwhile, 50 members of civil society have published an open letter to the French president Emmanuel Macron, saying a postponement would be a mistake and asking him to confirm the December date.
The letter was signed by many of the territory's most successful sports people.
It said the ongoing uncertainty over the prolonged referendum period is fracturing society.
The two previous referendums under the Noumea Accord, in 2018 and 2020, were won by anti-independence supporters.