New Caledonia government falls apart over nickel deal and independence push

Thierry Santa's multi-party government collapses a few months after narrow referendum vote to remain within French republic

Even as Tropical Cyclone Lucas bears down on New Caledonia, the French Pacific dependency also faces a political storm, with the collapse of the multi-party government led by President Thierry Santa.

Five members of the government, representing the pro-independence groups UC-FLNKS and the Union nationale pour l'independance (UNI) resigned on 2 February. Both groups are members of the Front de liberation nationale kanak et socialiste (FLNKS), which campaigns for independence from France.