Two key backers of the motion to oust the French Polynesian government have hit out at the French opposition Socialist Party for saying the vote was an attack on democracy.
The government of Oscar Temaru lost power after two assembly members who had backed the government the previous week defected to the coalition of parties in favour of the motion.
The Tahoeraa Huiraatira politician and now presidential candidate, Gaston Tong Sang, as well as the Rautahi Party leader, Jean-Christophe Bouissou, say the Socialists' comments are serious and damaging.
The two say they used a democratic and legal mechanism to censure the government.
The French high commission in Papeete has also issued a statement to say that the motion was in line with the organic law.
