Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

French Polynesia assembly to reconvene this week as new govt’s numbers change

Posted at 21:58 on 01 December, 2009 UTC

French Polynesia’s opposition has successfully pushed for the assembly to be convened by the end of the week as the newly formed government struggles to finalise its majority.

The new administration, led by Gaston Tong Sang, was expected to have the support of 32 of the assembly’s 57 members but has just lost two.

At the same time, the formal realignment of the assembly is yet to be completed after last week’s successful no confidence motion which ended the nine-month presidency of Oscar Temaru.

This has left Mr Tong Sang’s side short of a majority and prompted him to seek an adjournment of the planned sitting.

The change of government came amid disagreement over how to finalise the 2010 budget, which Mr Tong Sang endeavours to achieve before the end of the year.