28 May 2004

French Polynesian opposition demands Gaston Flosse's resignation

3:26 pm on 28 May 2004

Opposition parties in French Polynesia have demanded that the President, Gaston Flosse, resign and allow them to form a new Government.

The Opposition parties have now signed a coalition deal four days after Mr Flosse's ruling Tahoeraa Huiraatira party lost its majority in territorial elections .

The main Tavini Huiraatira opposition party and opposition MPs Nicole Bouteau and Philip Schyle say Mr Flosse must now concede.

Mrs Bouteau says they have also appealed to France to respect the outcome of the election and to help them maintain stability.

"We asked the President Flosse to let the power and to stay at home because the majority of the population of the people of French Polynesia had a clear message for him: [we] don't [want] you at the head of the Government, you have to go."

Mr Flosse is due to make a television address within the hour.