The deputy leader of France’s National Front Louis Aliot is expected in New Caledonia this weekend as part of the party’s presidential election campaign.

Mr Aliot is reportedly due to prepare the visit of the party leader Marine Le Pen who is expected in Noumea early next year as part of her campaign to win the French presidency.

Ms Le Pen visited New Caledonia three years ago when she called for an independence referendum to be held as soon as possible.

The National Front is opposed to independence of France’s Pacific territories which are both on the UN decolonisation list

At the weekend primaries were held of The Republicans and in New Caledonia, a former president Nicolas Sarkozy won most support but came only third in France.

However France-wide, the two top contenders were two former prime ministers Francois Fillon and Alain Juppe who will have a run-off this weekend for the nomination.

Mr Juppe, who campaigned in the French Pacific in July, won most votes in the primaries in French Polynesia.