Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Civil society to be included in new French Polynesia government

Posted at 02:00 on 27 November, 2009 UTC

French Polynesia’s new president, Gaston Tong Sang, says he plans to include three members from civil society in his new government which is expected to be made up of about 12 ministers.

In an interview on local radio, he has not ruled out including the Tahoeraa Huiraatira leader, Gaston Flosse, who two months ago was convicted for abusing public funds when he was president.

Mr Flosse was released from Tahiti’s prison after 16 days of detention yesterday and Mr Tong Sang says he doesn’t know under what condition he was set free.

Mr Tong Sang says his new team will be united in its political conviction to lead the territory out of its economic crisis.

He also says governing with 45 assembly members brings no more stability than having 29, which is the minimum number needed.

The government led by Oscar Temaru was ousted this week after Mr Tong Sang pulled his team out of the administration to side with the opposition Tahoeraa.