French Polynesia's assembly president Marcel Tuihani says he didn't resign from the Tahoeraa Huiraatira party because of its policies but because of its leader Gaston Flosse.
This file photo taken on September 28, 2014 shows Marcel Tuihani, the new president of Polynesia's assembly, meeting supporters of the Orange party in Papeete. Photo: GREGORY BOISSY / AFP
In a surprise move, Mr Tuihani quit this week in a move announced by his father Mate Tuihani who at the same time resigned as party treasurer.
He said he quit because of Flosse's humiliating attitude towards his father.
In his first interview with the public broadcaster, Mr Tuihani acknowledged that he owed his political career to the Tahoeraa.
But he added that the party was also responsible for his judicial woes, which is a reference to the court cases involving Flosse.
Flosse cannot hold public office because of a corruption conviction.
Gaston Flosse Photo: RNZ
The Tuihanis also disliked Flosse's decision to put the party behind Marine Le Pen in last month's French presidential election.
Flosse told Tahiti-info that Mr Tuihani should vacate the assembly presidency and cede the post to a Tahoeraa politician.
The territory's president Edouard Fritch, who used to be Flosse's deputy for decades, said the Tahoeraa had lost its compass.