France draws ire in Pacific islands as New Caledonia referendum goes ahead

FILE PHOTO: Secretary General of the Elysee Palace Alexis Kohler, French President Emmanuel Macron and French Overseas Minister Sebastien Lecornu meet with New Caledonia representatives at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France June 1, 2021. Bertrand Guay/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

SYDNEY (Reuters) - New Caledonia is pushing ahead with a referendum on independence from France this weekend, despite concerns that a boycott by pro-independence parties who oppose holding the poll amid the coronavirus pandemic risks an outbreak of violence.

France's decision to hold the last of a series of three votes on Sunday, against the wishes of indigenous Kanaks, has drawn condemnation in neighbouring Pacific islands where sensitivities over colonization are high.