French Polynesia's two veteran leaders Oscar Temaru and Gaston Flosse have confirmed that they discussed a possible alliance for the second round of the territorial election.
Oscar Temaru and Gaston Flosse. Photo: RNZ Pacific / AFP
However, they failed to find common ground and both their parties submitted unchanged candidate lists for the run-off on May 6.
Radio1 reported there were conflicting accounts of the discussions.
Flosse said talks faltered over the issue of French Polynesia seeking independence from France.
Mr Temaru said the talks were a non-event, with Radio1 sources quoted as saying younger members of the party rejected a deal over the probity of the candidates.
Temaru's party campaigned against politicians with corruption convictions.
Flosse was barred from office because of such a conviction and put Geffry Salmon at the top of his party's list.
The ruling Tapura, which is fielding nine candidates with corruption convictions, won the first round last weekend.
If it maintains the same support in the second round it will return to power with an increased majority.
After the 2008 election, Oscar Temaru and Gaston Flosse formed a coalition government but it fell within two months in a no-confidence vote.