1979 New Caledonian legislative election

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.[2]

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.[2] 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.