A proposal to turn French Polynesia into an associate state of France is being opposed by French presidential candidate Francois Fillon.
French presidential election candidate for the right-wing Les Republicains (LR) party Francois Fillon (C) gestures during a rally at the Porte de Versailles in Paris, on April 9, 2017. Photo: Eric FEFERBERG / AFP
Mr Fillon, who is a former prime minister and candidate of The Republicans, took the stance in a document on his policies on French Polynesia after a veteran leader in Tahiti, Gaston Flosse, mooted the idea.
The proposed change of the current status as an overseas country is being supported by Marine Le Pen, who is the leader of France's National Front and a rival contender for the presidency.
Mr Fillon said he was against it because it was a first step towards independence which he said the Polynesians don't want.
Marine Le Pen Photo: AFP
Ms Le Pen had acknowledged the support of Flosse's Tahoeraa Huiraatira party, saying Flosse was the spokesperson for a majority of French Polynesians.
However her comment was rejected by French Polynesia's ruling Tapura Huiraatira party which is endorsing Mr Fillon in the presidential race.
It switched its support to Mr Fillon after its preferred candidate Alain Juppe was eliminated in the Republicans' primaries.
Before backing Ms Le Pen, the Tahoeraa supported Nicolas Sarkozy who also lost out in the primaries.