The anti-independence movement in New Caledonia won a narrow majority in the Pacific archipelago's Congress in provincial elections Sunday, official figures showed. Six months after a closer-than-expected referendum raised questions over France's grip on the strategic islands, the anti-independence right was set to win 28 of 54 seats, while separatists would claim 26, according to projections.
In the November 6 referendum, 56.7 percent had voted to stay French, a much tighter outcome than predicted. Separatists, who have gained ground since 1998 and held 25 seats in the outgoing Congress, had hoped to win control of the Congress and local government in Sunday's vote. Around an hour before the polls closed at 6pm (0700 GMT), turnout was 58.5 percent, around 15 percent lower than the level recorded in the referendum six months ago, the high commission said.