Loyalist Ponga elected French island territory of New Caledonia’s new gov’t chief

By Nur Asena Erturk

An anti-independence politician in France’s overseas territory of New Caledonia, Alcide Ponga, was elected the president of the new government of the archipelago, local media reported Wednesday.

The former government of pro-independence Louis Mapou was toppled last month, and political parties started to work on the formation of a new government and to elect its new leader.

The government of 11 members was formed on Tuesday, and following this, those 11 officials had to choose between Alcide Ponga and pro-independence candidate Samuel Hnepeune, the broadcaster Nouvelle Caledonie 1ere reported.

Alcide Ponga was born to an indigenous Kanak family with anti-independence tendencies. He has been serving as the mayor of the small town of Kouaoua since 2014.

Mapou’s government fell just before Christmas when Loyalists from the center-right political party Caledonie Ensemble collectively decided to resign.

Mapou, the first pro-independence president of the government in New Caledonia, led the government of the archipelago for 3 1/2 years.

The Caledonian Congress determines the number of government members, which can vary from five to 11, and elects them. This means that the government members are elected, not appointed.

After a government is toppled, lawmakers in Congress must meet and elect a new executive body.

Political party groups in Congress must suggest candidates for the executive body and can decide to unite while doing it -- a process during which political talks gain importance.

The future government members are not required to be elected lawmakers in Congress, and it is enough for them to be listed on the special regional electoral lists.