Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

French Polynesia no confidence vote looms

Posted at 03:12 on 24 November, 2009 UTC

The newly formed French Polynesian coalition aimed at ousting the government says the no confidence motion will go ahead when the assembly meets tomorrow.

The motion aims to end Oscar Temaru’s tenure and install the To Tatou Aia Party leader, Gaston Tong Sang, as president for the second time since last year’s early general election.

Observers say it’s not certain that the challengers will have the numbers to succeed as one of them, Gaston Flosse, is in detention in Tahiti’s jail.

29 votes are needed in the 57-member assembly for the motion to pass.

Armelle Merceron, a minister who used to be in Mr Tong Sang’s party, has told local television that she doubts the new government would benefit the territory.

“It is made up of people who have shown that they are only interested in being in power and not in developing projects for French Polynesia’s future.”

Armelle Merceron