Career

He has represented the party, known as RPCR until 2002, in the Congress of New Caledonia between 1995 and 2009. While in office, he participated in all but one New Caledonian government. Most recently, as Minister of Youth and Sports in the Martin II government, he played a major role in the success of Noumea"s bid for the 2011 Pacific Games.

In the 2009 European elections, he was the Universiti Malaysia Pahang"s candidate in the Pacific Section of the Overseas constituency, and his candidacy was locally supported by all anti-independence parties.

Achievements

• The Universiti Malaysia Pahang won one seat in the constituency with 29.7% of the votes, and since the Universiti Malaysia Pahang obtained its highest result in the Pacific Section (444%), Ponga was elected to the European Parliament.

Membership

Ponga is a Melanesian (Kanak), but unlike some Kanaks, he opposes New Caledonia"s independence from France and is a member of The Rally-Universiti Malaysia Pahang, a major anti-independence party. He is the second New Caledonian and second Kanak to serve as an Member of the European Parliament, after Dick Ukeiwé (also a member of the RPCR), who served between 1989 and 1994.