Macron suspends controversial voting reforms in New Caledonia after deadly unrest

French president says suspension will give full strength to dialogue on the ground' as well as opportunity to return to order'

Controversial voting reforms in New Caledonia will be suspended, Emmanuel Macron has announced, after a period of deadly unrest in the French Pacific territory.

The reforms, which would have altered voting rights, are contested by the Indigenous Kanak people who say they would be marginalised further should the changes go through.