Pacific / French Polynesia

Uncertainty for Macron party in Tahiti

11:35 am on 9 May 2017

A representative for the new French President says it is not certain that his En Marche party will stand candidates in French Polynesia in next month's elections of a new French National Assembly.

Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech at his campaign headquarters in Paris after the second round of the French presidential election. Photo: AFP

Emmanuel Macron, who won 58 percent of the votes in Tahiti, plans to secure a parliamentary majority for his fledgling party in a bid to implement his five-year programme.

His election victory follows a collapse of support for the candidates of the traditionally dominant two parties, The Republicans and the Socialists.

Heimana Garbet, who represents Mr Macron in Papeete, has told Tahiti-infos that aspiring candidates will be vetted and chosen in Paris after which they can adapt the party programme to local conditions.

The choice will be made by a party commission which won't include Mr Macron.

Mr Garbet has expressed his gratitude to the French Polynesian parties which endorsed the Macron campaign in last weekend's run-off vote against the National Front's Marine Le Pen.