21 Dec 2006

Key French Polynesian MPs uncommitted ahead of presidential election

4:13 pm on 21 December 2006

One of the French Polynesian assembly members who last year joined the government says he and his three outer island colleagues haven't decided yet who they will back in tomorrow's presidential election.

Michel Yip made the comment on arrival back from New Zealand where he spent some time after last week's assembly vote that ousted the government of Oscar Temaru.

The two candidates in tomorrow's election are Mr Temaru and Gaston Tong Sang of the Tahoeraa Huiraatira Party.

The government fell last week when two of the four outer island MPs joined the opposition to approve a motion of no confidence just days after they voted for the 2007 budget.

Mr Yip says they will vote as a bloc but it will be a difficult choice.

If they do, they are likely to decide who will win.

The election will go ahead if 35 of the 57 assembly members are present - otherwise the election will be held the day after Christmas.