French Polynesia's opposition politicians have lodged a motion of no confidence in the coalition government of Gaston Tong Sang.
The motion names Oscar Temaru of the Union of Democracy as the new proposed president.
If the motion is passed, Mr Temaru will become president for the fourth time in less than five years.
The move against Mr Tong Sang followed his gradual loss of support in the assembly in the past two months and was accelerated when Jean-Christophe Bouissou's Rautahi Party sided with the opposition.
The opposition challenge was briefly on hold this week because the Tahoeraa Huiraatira leader, Gaston Flosse, also wanted to be president after Mr Temaru had already publicly put his name forward.
The return of Mr Temaru will give French Polynesia its fourth government in a year.
Last year, France called an early election under a new electoral system but the government formed after the poll was ousted a month later.
Two French Polynesian minister resigned just hours after the no confidence motion was lodged.
Georges Puchon and Lionel Teihotu and belong to the Rautahi Party.
