Election of President

None of 13 short-listed candidates managed to get the required quorum of 38 of the 58 members of the Electoral College.

After two rounds, Vanuatu's ambassador to Fiji, Nikenike Vurobaravu was in the lead with 29 votes.

The former ambassador to China, Willie Jimmy Tapangararua, was next but well behind with a handful of votes and all other candidates gained no more than two votes.

Obed Moses Tallis has recently completed his term as president.

This morning the 11 ministers chosen by Congress to form a new administration again failed to elect a president, leaving the territory without a properly constituted government.

The impasse means that the previous administration headed by Philippe Germain will continue as a caretaker administration.

Two years ago, New Caledonia had no proper government for months because of a similar impasse.

A fresh election was made necessary because the budget minister resigned last month to take up a seat in the French National Assembly.