Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Temaru elected leader of French Polynesia

Updated at 8:25 pm on 12 February 2009

French Polynesia's assembly has elected Oscar Temaru as the next president, following the resignation of Gaston Tong Sang.

Mr Temaru has now become president for the fourth time in less than five years.

In the second round of voting, Mr Temaru won 37 votes, 17 more than Mr Tong Sang.

He was elected with the support of the Tahoeraa Huiraatira, whose candidate withdrew from the race after the first round of voting.

Thursday's presidential election was the third since France called an early general election last year to increase political stability.

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