Daniel Goa News Today

Amid escalating economic turmoil and social discontent the French government is determined to tighten its grip on the strategically significant Pacific colony.

France declared a state of emergency in New Caledonia after deadly riots over constitutional reforms.

Macron holds crisis meeting amid unrest over plan to increase number of French nationals eligible to vote in Pacific territory

Analysis - The Constitutional Bill has been at the centre of growing tensions in New Caledonia.

The crowd - an estimated 2000 according to organisers, 500 according to police - had been called to voice their opposition to a French-planned constitutional amendment process.

The French minister plans to travel to Noumea "mid-February", but it depends on whether protracted talks between local politicians on the territory's political future are showing signs of progress.

Palika has long proposed “independence in partnership” with France, with an undefined period of transition towards sovereignty.

Analysis - After a phase of reluctance, talks on New Caledonia's political future now seem to flourish both within pro and anti-independence parties and sometimes between opposing camps as well.

Is the Australian government privileging geopolitical relations with France over its relationship with indigenous peoples in the Pacific, asks Nic Maclellan.

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed he would forge ahead to seek changes to the French Constitution in early 2024.