Pacific / French Polynesia

Fritch concerned over Tahiti instability

17:09 pm on 13 October 2015

French Polynesia's president, Edouard Fritch, has reiterated that there is political instability in the territory but says a dissolution of the assembly is not on the agenda.

French Polynesia president Edouard Fritch in Paris Photo: supplied

Mr Fritch made the comments in Paris following talks with the French overseas minister, George Pau-Langevin, over French help to draw up the budget.

He says he has to govern without a majority and still hopes to secure enough support for the budget to pass.

His assembly group, which has emerged amid a rift within the Tahoeraa Huiraatira Party, has the backing of 26 members in the 57-member assembly, but after the last election two years ago, the Tahoeraa had thirds of all seats.

Last week, two of his ministers resigned to become assembly members and to force the Tahoeraa to relinquish two of its assembly seats.

Mr Fritch then said if he failed to pass the budget he would consider his work done and possibly have the government quit and the assembly dissolved.

He is poised to launch his own party in December made up former Tahoeraa members, who have either left the party or been expelled.

The Tahoeraa is led by a former president, Gaston Flosse, who is banned from public office because of a corruption conviction.