FRENCH POLYNESIA: France condemns new coalition
Updated
France's ruling party has strongly condemned the election of Gaston Flosse as president of French Polynesia and has severed all ties with his party. Media reports say the ruling party in Paris says Mr Flosse's election is "against nature". His win comes despite his party having won only 10 seats in general elections held earlier this year. Mr Flosse was elected President of French Polynesia after forming a surprise alliance with long-time political rival, and former pro-independence President, Oscar Temaru. Mr Flosse, who heads Tahoera'a Huiraatira - the pro-autonomy party - managed to secure the votes of pro-independence representatives.
Presenter: Sandrine Ducrot
Speakers: Political analyst Semir Al Wardi, University of French Polynesia
AL WARDI: On the 7th of July, a meeting was held between Gaston Flosse's party and the pro-independence group. They agreed on the possibility of implementing the Tahiti-Nui agreements. This focuses on the economic development of French Polynesia, leading to the economic independence of the territory. And then, after maybe 20 years, there would be a referendum on the independence issue. But this meeting profoundly divided Gaston Flosse's party, the Tahoera'a Huiraatira. Some representatives in favor of the pro-autonomy solution decided to join Gaston Tong Sang's new autonomist party. They have strongly refused to discuss things with the pro-independence party. Whereas for Gaston Flosse, it is better to negotiate with the pro-independence party to promote social and political peace on the Territory.
DUCROT: What is the position of the pro-independence party now?
AL WARDI: The pro-independence party, the Union for Democracy is in a very good position. In this Assembly, they secured 20 representatives, against 10 for the Tahoera'a Huiraatira. So the pro-independence party is going to ask something in return, for example ministries. But in my point of view, they are also going to ask Gaston Flosse to take a stand in regards to France, and about French Polynesia's future. Oscar Temaru strongly criticized Gaston Tong Sang. He said that he did not want a "puppet" president from Paris to govern French Polynesia. This was a way of condemning French Minister Christian Estrossi, for his political intervention in the French Polynesian general elections. Paris showed its preferred candidate, and it has backfired on France. That's why the pro-independence group chose Gaston Flosse, over the candidate approved by France.
DUCROT: But this coalition could lead to a lot of political instability…
AL WARDI: Political stability in French Polynesia only lasted between 1996 and 2004, because Gaston Flosse's party had the absolute majority. Otherwise, French Polynesia has always been unstable. At any time, two Tahoera'a Huiraatira representatives can decide to join the To Tatou Aia and change the majority. Last weekend, Gaston Flosse managed to be perceived as the Metoua, the Leader. But 2 representatives could decide to break with him in the future and to go with the To Tatou Aia. In that case, the To Tatou Aia would have the absolute majority. So there is political instability in French Polynesia and it will remain for quite some time.
