17 Jun 2002

The French Pacific territories' three members of the French parliament have held their seats

9:17 am on 17 June 2002

The French Pacific territories' three centre-right members of the French parliament have retained their seats in the second round of voting in the French elections.

The French news agency, AFP, says Victor Brial has retained his seat for Wallis and Futuna, winning the run-off against Penisio Tialetagi by 58 votes.

His majority was 50-point-39 percent of the vote, with turnout at above 80 percent.

In New Caledonia, Jacques Lafleur won just under 56 percent to beat Didier Leroux.

Mr Lafleur had to go to a run-off for the first time since 1978 - five years ago he had been the highest polling winner in the French parliament.

In the second New Caledonian constituency, the territorial president, Pierre Frogier, defeated the pro-independence challenger, Paul Neaoutyne.

In their electorate, more than half the eligible voters abstained.

In France itself, the Interior Ministry has released figures which show the French President, Jacques Chirac's centre-right has won an absolute parliamentary majority in the elections.