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 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 LCR in France, the party has since moderated to become a social democratic party.