Another senior politician of French Polynesia's Tahoeraa Huiraatira Party has defected to the ruling Tapura Huiraatira party.
Thomas Moutame quit the Tahoeraa after decades of membership during which he was an assembly member and minister.
He was unhappy with his place on the list for next month's territorial election.
The party president Gaston Flosse said he never thought Mr Moutame would betray the party.
Mr Moutame is also a mayor of Taputapuatea whose council endorsed the switch to the Tapura Huiraatira.
His placement now reportedly increases his election chances next month.
Campaign posters in French Polynesia for 2013 territorial election Photo: RNZ Pacific Walter Zweifel