New Caledonia independence party says Macron needs to do more to defuse tension

FILE PHOTO: French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with a policeman upon his arrival at the central police station in Noumea, France's Pacific territory of New Caledonia on May 23, 2024. LUDOVIC MARIN/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

SYDNEY (Reuters) - New Caledonia's pro-independence political party has told French President Emmanuel Macron it can't persuade protesters to remove roadblocks across the French Pacific territory because activists aren't convinced Macron will drop a contentious electoral reform.

At least seven people have died in protests against the constitutional amendment that would expand New Caledonia's electorate to include recent French arrivals. Some indigenous Kanaks believe the change will dilute their vote, and risk any future referendum on independence.