10 Feb 2005

French Polynesia's ADN banks on Bouteau presidency

4:49 pm on 10 February 2005

A candidate of French Polynesia's Alliance for a New Democracy, Francis Stein, says irrespective of the outcome of the weekend election, the Alliance will put forward Nicole Bouteau as a candidate for the presidency.

The Alliance is made up of two smaller pro-autonomy parties which were part of the coalition government ousted by the Gaston Flosse-led Tahoeraa Huiraatira in October.

Mr Stein says amid the confrontation of the two main blocs, the ADN list offers a third way.

He says it hopes to come first in a bid to change the way politics is carried out.

"They are not talking about programmes. Everybody is pointing at everyone, telling bad things on their account."

Mr Stein, who is a member of the Fetia Api party, says the party has decided against flying flags as the main contenders do in what has become a heated campaign.