New Caledonia party splits over leadership

13/10/2008 15:27:01

New Caledonia's dominant political party has split over a leadership disagreement.

The coalition, The Future Together, formed in 2004 ended 20 years of political domination by the conservative Rally for Caledonia party.

However, a split within the party has resulted in the creation of a new party by former Future Together member, Philip Gomes.

The split comes less than eight months ahead of the next general election and the president of Future Together Didier Leroux says the party will have difficulty replicating their success in the last election.

"First of all I'm concerned that it might affect the party," he said.

"Second, I'm saddened and disappointed because the Caledonian people had put a lot of hopes in our party and I'm sure we have disappointed them quite a lot."

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