20 Nov 2006

Rautahi support for transition government in French Polynesia

10:20 am on 20 November 2006

French Polynesia's small opposition Rautahi Party says it supports a campaign by anti-independence parties to set up a so-called transition government to be led by Gaston Tong Sang.

The Rautahi leader, Jean-Christophe Bouissou, has told the Tahitipresse news agency that the outer island MPs who now hold the balance of power are not natural members of the ruling coalition.

The outer island MPs defected to the government side in April, defeating an opposition bid to oust the government.

They now often stay away from assembly sitting, and while giving proxy votes to the government, they holding discussions with the opposition.

Last week, the government presented the s budget that is to be debated in the next weeks amid continued opposition moves to forge a coalition that could succeed with a no confidence motion.

The main opposition Tahoeraa Huiraatira Party says it's not a question of overthrowing the government for the satisfaction to have ousted it.

It says the resignation of the outer island MPs is being awaited.