Early legislative elections were held in New Caledonia on 1 July 1979 after the Government Council was dismissed by the French government and the High Commissioner dissolved the Assembly elected in 1977.New Caledonia votes Pacific Islands Monthly, August 1979, p7
Background In March 1979 the Government Council of New Caledonia – controlled by the pro-independence Caledonian Union – was dismissed by the French government after failing to vote in favour of a ten-year plan for the territory. High Commissioner Claude Charbonniaud given executive power.Caledonia: HiCom rules Pacific Islands Monthly May 1979, p37
A 10% electoral threshold was introduced for the elections, which was reported by Pacific Islands Monthly to mainly affect the prospects of indigenous and pro-independence parties. As a result, the pro-independence Caledonian Union, Caledonian Socialist Party, Melanesian Progressive Union, Party of Kanak Liberation and United Front of Kanak Liberation formed the Independence Front.
Results
Elected members ConstituencyMemberPartyNotesEast (7 seats)François BurckIndependence Front (UC)Yves de VillelongueRally for CaledoniaRe-electedAndré GopeaIndependence Front (UPM)Re-electedÉloi MachoroIndependence Front (UC)Re-electedAuguste Parawi-ReybasRally for CaledoniaRe-electedFrancis PoadouyIndependence Front (PALIKA)Jean-Marie TjibaouIndependence Front (UC)Re-electedIslands (5 seats)Nidoïsh NaisselineIndependence Front (PALIKA)Re-electedDick UkeiwéRally for CaledoniaRe-electedYann Céléné UregeïIndependence Front (FULK)Re-electedÉdouard WapaéIndependence Front (UC)Re-electedYeiwéné YeiwénéIndependence Front (UC)Re-electedSouth (17 seats)Christian BoisseryFederation for a New Caledonian SocietyStanley CamerlynckFederation for a New Caledonian SocietyRe-elected (previously UNC in East)Lionel CherrierFederation for a New Caledonian SocietyAndré CaillardRally for CaledoniaRené de Saint-QuentinRally for CaledoniaGeorges FaureRally for CaledoniaMelito FinauFederation for a New Caledonian SocietyMax FrouinRally for CaledoniaRe-elected (previously MLC)Jacques LafleurRally for CaledoniaJean LèquesRally for CaledoniaRe-elected (previously MLC)Roger LaroqueRally for CaledoniaRe-electedPetelo ManuofiuaRally for CaledoniaRe-electedGérald MeyerFederation for a New Caledonian SocietyJacques MourenRally for CaledoniaRe-electedRock PidjotIndependence Front (UC)Re-electedMarie-Paule ServeRally for CaledoniaRe-electedJacques VioletteIndependence Front (PSC)Re-electedWest (7 seats)Jean-Pierre AïfaFederation for a New Caledonian SocietyRe-elected (previously UNC)Jean DelouvrierRally for CaledoniaRe-electedJustin GuillemardRally for CaledoniaGaston MorletFederation for a New Caledonian SocietyRe-elected (previously UDGabriel PaïtaIndependence Front (UC)Re-electedMaurice LenormandIndependence Front (UC)Re-electedPaul NapoareaIndependence Front (UC)Source: Congress
References