10 Feb 2005

French Polynesian coalition aims at Bouteau presidency

2:56 pm on 10 February 2005

A candidate of French Polynesia's Alliance for a New Democracy, Francis Stein, says irrespective of the outcome of the weekend election, it will put forward Nicole Bouteau as a candidate for the presidency.

The Alliance is made up of two smaller pro-autonomy parties which were part of the coalition government ousted by the Gaston Flosse-led Tahoeraa Huiraatira in October.

Mr Stein says amid the confrontation of the two main blocs, the ADN list offers a third way.

He says it hopes to come first in a bid to change the way politics is carried out.

Mr Stein, who is a member of the Fetia Api party, says the party has decided against flying flags as the main contenders do in what has become a heated campaign.