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Macron had largely stayed clear of the campaign in New Caledonia, but during a visit to Noumea in May he declared “France would be less beautiful” without the territory (Michel Euler/Pool/Reuters)

EMMANUEL MACRON

New Caledonia rejects independence from France

Some 18 000 kilometres from the French mainland, New Caledonia is home to a quarter of the world’s known supplies of nickel

Cecile Azzaro
Claudine Wery

People cast their ballots for or against the independence of New Caledonia from France. (Theo Rouby/AFP/Getty Images)

EMMANUEL MACRON

New Caledonia votes on independence from France

Some 175 000 people are eligible to vote in the remote islands fringed by spectacular beaches

Cecile Azzaro
Claudine Wery