Temaru out of contention for French presidential election

6:57 am on 20 March 2017

French Polynesia's Oscar Temaru has failed in his bid to be a candidate in next month's French presidential election.

Oscar Temaru

Oscar Temaru Photo: RNZI

The pro-independence leader secured 109 endorsements - well short of the 500 needed to stand.

Last month, Mr Temaru claimed to have secured more than 500 official backers.

He had travelled extensively to get to stand as part of efforts to explain his decolonisation campaign.

However, the Constitutional Council announced the official list which shows that a total of 11 politicians have reached the threshold to run.

Among French Polynesia's elected officials, Mr Temaru won most support, followed by the National Front's Marine Le Pen.

She secured the support of the Tahoeraa Huiraatira of Gaston Flosse.

The ruling Tapura Huiraatira is backing Francois Fillon to succeed Francois Hollande as France's head of state.

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