French Polynesia's president Edouard Fritch says if he wins this year's election he will make the pension reform the priority of priorities.
Mr Fritch made the comment after withdrawing the reform plan following a general strike during which demonstrators forced their way into the assembly.
Edouard Fritch Photo: Supplied
His government planned to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62, saying failure to make the change would bankrupt the system in a couple of years.
While backing down, he said he saw the hatred among those who forced their way into the assembly and didn't want to see it in the street.
After vowing to shut down economic activity in Papeete, the unions have now called off their unlimited strike, which saw thousands of people to rally outside the assembly.
The unions say the entire social security system needs to be reformed and not only the pension scheme.