The leader of New Caledonia's biggest anti-independence political bloc Sonia Backes says she aims to become the president of the southern province.
Sonia Backes Photo: Facebook
The three-party Future with Confidence coalition which she led into Sunday's election won half of the assembly's seats and will now also be the biggest force in the Congress.
The anti-independence parties jointly hold 28 of the 54 Congress seats, while the remaining 26 were won by the pro-independence parties which dominate the other two provincial assemblies.
Ms Backes has told RRB radio the outcome was close and almost resulted in a catastrophe for the pro-French side.
She said once the Congress and the various administrations have been formed, she wants to set up a dialogue to tackle the serious societal problems of addiction, lack of security and the economy.
She also noted that the anti-independence side would have won a seat in the Loyalty Islands if it had run a joint list to clear the five-percent hurdle for representation.
Ms Backes says once the Congress and the various administrations have been formed, she wants to set up a dialogue to tackle the serious societal problems of addiction, lack of security and the economy.