Macron says New Caledonia has voted to remain French in referendum

PARIS (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday that New Caledonia will remain French, after a majority of voters in the French overseas territory voted against independence in a third and final referendum.

“Caledonians have chosen to remain French. They decided that freely,” Macron said in a televised address.

“We can’t ignore that the electorate remained deeply divided over the years. (…) A period of transition is now starting,” he added.