Are new caledonians french citizens
A great question about a fascinating topic!
New Caledonians are not French citizens in the classical sense, but they do have a complex relationship with France. Here's a brief overview:
New Caledonia is a special collectivity of France, which means it is an integral part of the French Republic but has a significant degree of autonomy. The territory has a population of around 280,000 people, mostly of Melanesian and Polynesian descent, with a smaller proportion of European descent.
As a special collectivity, New Caledonia has its own government, known as the Government of New Caledonia, which is responsible for internal affairs. However, France is still responsible for defense, foreign affairs, and some aspects of justice.
Regarding citizenship, New Caledonians are not automatically French citizens, but they do have a special status. Under the French Constitution, all inhabitants of New Caledonia are French citizens, but this citizenship is not the same as the citizenship of the French Republic.
New Caledonians have a specific status known as "French citizens of New Caledonia" (French: "citoyens français de Nouvelle-Calédonie"), which is governed by the French Nationality Code. This status is distinct from the citizenship of the French Republic, which is granted to individuals who are born in France, have French parents, or have acquired French citizenship through naturalization.
In practice, this means that New Caledonians have the right to live and work in France, but they are not entitled to vote in French presidential or parliamentary elections. They also have limited access to certain social benefits and services in France.
In recent years, there have been debates about the future of New Caledonia's relationship with France, with some advocating for independence and others seeking greater autonomy within the French Republic. The question of citizenship and the relationship between New Caledonians and France is likely to remain a topic of discussion in the years to come.