Melanesian Progressive Union

The Melanesian Progressive Union is a militant socialist pro-independence political party in New Caledonia. It is a component of the National [Union for Independence], which in turn is one of the two components of the Kanak and Socialist [National Liberation Front].

History

The UPM was founded in 1974 by Melanesian supporters of the Caledonian Union who were opposed to the leader of the party, the white Maurice Lenormand. At first a Trotskyist political party close to the Revolutionary [Communist League (France)|LCR] in France, the party has since moderated to become a social democratic party.