Alcide Ponga (born 1975) is a Kanak politician who has served as the President of the Government of New Caledonia since January 2025. He is the president of the The Rally since 20 April 2024, and formerly served as mayor of Kouaoua as well as an executive in the nickel mining industry. A prominent figure in New Caledonian politics, he is known for his support for the territory remaining part of France.

Early life and education

Ponga was born in Kouaoua, in 1975 into a Protestant family of Kanak origin that has been active for decades in New Caledonian local politics. His mother served in local government, and his uncle was a

Member of the European Parliament A member of the European Parliament (MEP) is a person who has been Election, elected to serve as a popular representative in the European Parliament. When the European Parliament (then known as the Common Assembly of the European Coal and S ...

. His grandparents were active in the fight for Kanak rights, while also supporting New Caledonia remaining part of France. Ponga earned a Master's degree in

Political Science Political science is the scientific study of politics. It is a social science dealing with systems of governance and Power (social and political), power, and the analysis of political activities, political philosophy, political thought, polit ...

, laying the foundation for his dual career in both politics and industry.

Career

Before entering full-time politics, Ponga built a career in New Caledonia’s vital nickel mining sector. From 2001 to 2010, he held various executive management positions with ''La Société Le Nickel'' (SLN). In 2010, he joined ''Koniambo Nickel SAS'', where he served as Director of External Affairs and Institutional Relations until 2024. Ponga began his political career in local government. In 2014, he was elected Mayor of Kouaoua. He held the position for a decade until resigning in 2024 following his nomination as president of the government. In 2019, Ponga was elected as a member of the Northern Province Assembly. His influence within his party grew steadily, becoming president of The Rally in April 2024. On 16 January 2025, he was sworn in as President of the Government of New Caledonia, forming a new government following the collapse of the pro-independence government led by Louis Mapou. His leadership has been described as bringing stability following the 2024 unrest and a continuation for

New Caledonia New Caledonia ( ; ) is a group of islands in the southwest Pacific Ocean, southwest of Vanuatu and east of Australia. Located from Metropolitan France, it forms a Overseas France#Sui generis collectivity, ''sui generis'' collectivity of t ...

to remain within the

French Republic France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ponga, Alcide Living people 1975 births Presidents of the Government of New Caledonia Kanak people 21st-century French politicians