He was an institution in his own right. Jean Lèques died on Wednesday 1 June at the age of 90. He had been mayor of Noumea for 28 years (1985-2014). He was also the first president of the government (199-2001). Jean-Lèques defined himself as a Christian Democrat. He was one of the leaders of the RPCR, the political movement of Jacques Lafleur. Jean-Lèques, whom everyone called Fifils, was also elected many times to the territorial assembly of Caledonia. His last mandate was as a member of the New Caledonian committee of wise men.