French Polynesia's vice-president Teva Rohfritsch has resigned but the president is refusing to accept his departure.
Teva Rohfritsch Photo: supplied
Teva Rohfritsch quit after failing to win the mayoralty of Punaauia in last weekend's municipal elections.
Backed by the ruling Tapura Huiraatira party, Mr Rohfritsch won just under 23 percent of the vote while the incumbent, Simplicio Lissant, got more than 68 percent.
In his letter of resignation, Mr Rohfritsch says he will stay on as a member of the territorial assembly.
But the president, Edouard Fritch says in the face of the crisis triggered by the coronavirus outbreak he wants Mr Rohfritsch to remain vice-president.