The first woman to become the assembly president in French Polynesia has resigned from the opposition Tahoeraa Huiraatira Party just days before the first round of the territory's early general election.
Lucette Taero, who served as a minister under Gaston Flosse for five years until becoming assembly president in 2001, announced her decision in a letter to the party that has been published in the local press.
Mrs Taero took exception to the party's selection process in Moorea in December which made the island's mayor the local Tahoeraa candidate for this weekend's election.
She says she is surprised that the party organised a primary election in her area but nowhere else.