FEBRUARY 18, 2025 — A French administrative court has ruled that the pro-independence Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) flag must be removed from driver’s licenses in New Caledonia, siding with the non-independence party Générations NC, according to Franceinfo.
The Paris Administrative Court of Appeal upheld a prior ruling that declared the inclusion of the FLNKS flag on licenses illegal.
According to Radio1 Tahiti, the controversy began in July 2023 when the then pro-independence government of New Caledonia issued an order modifying the license design to include the FLNKS flag alongside the French tricolor.
Leaders of Générations NC, including Nina Julié and Nicolas Metzdorf, opposed the decision and requested its reversal. When no action was taken, they pursued legal action.
The Administrative Court of New Caledonia ruled in their favor in 2024, mandating the issuance of new licenses without the flag by January 1, 2025, with a penalty of 100,000 Pacific francs ($872 USD) per day for non-compliance.
The government attempted to overturn the ruling but lost its appeal on February 14. The court cited the 1998 Nouméa Accord, which outlines specific procedures for adopting a unifying flag, stating that the FLNKS flag did not meet these criteria and could not legally appear on official documents.
As of mid-February, the penalties for non-compliance have accrued to 4.9 million Pacific francs ($42,721 USD), adding financial pressure to the local government. Alcide Ponga, president of the current government, is now responsible for enforcing the court’s decision.
Générations NC reiterated its stance in favor of a neutral flag that represents all Caledonians. “Since the May 13 riots [of 2024], the FLNKS flag has become a symbol of division and violence. It can never represent all of New Caledonia,” the party stated.
Générations NC argued that the flag represents a political stance rather than an official national symbol.
“We demand that the government president apply the law without delay, remove the flag from driver’s licenses, and allow all affected Caledonians to replace them,” the party stated in a press release.
Image: Radio1 Tahiti
