New Caledonia's main anti-independence party says the democratic process has been hijacked by the political interests of another loyalist faction.
The President of New Caledonia's collegial government, Philippe Germain. Photo: RNZI / Koroi Hawkins
The Caledonia Together party says it denounces the stance of the Caledonian Republicans who for a second time in two weeks refused to elect the only candidate Philippe Germain as president.
He received only five of the six votes of the anti-independence politicians needed to be elected.
The pro-independence side, which has the remaining five seats in the 11-member government, has abstained.
The New Caledonia congress. Photo: AFP
In the absence of a president, there is no properly constituted government and the previous government remains as a caretaker administration.
The Caledonia Together Party has ruled out any bargaining or negotiations with what it calls a perfidious group to have Mr Germain re-elected.
There is no end in sight to the impasse, which observers say could continue until next year unless Paris decides to call an early general election.
A similar deadlock two years ago left New Caledonia without a government for three months until a pro-independence politician decided to vote for Mr Germain.
