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| Europe |
| New Caledonia to vote on independence from France |
| 2018-11-03 |
| [Al Jazeera] The people of New Caledonia will vote on Sunday on whether they want full independence from La Belle France, which has ruled the small archipelago in the Pacific since the 19th century. The islands, a nearly three-hour flight east of Australia, secured more autonomy amid growing calls for independence by the indigenous Kanak people in the 1980s. When an estimated 174,000 voters who qualify as long-term residents head to the polls on Sunday, it will be the second referendum on New Caledonia's political status. The first, held in 1987, was widely boycotted by the Kanaks, resulting in more than 98 percent electing to remain with La Belle France. |
| Posted by:Fred |