1 Jun 2005

French Polynesia's opposition welcomes French realignment after referendum shake-up

3:55 pm on 1 June 2005

French Polynesia's opposition has welcomed the change of government in France following the weekend referendum which saw a majority of voters reject the planned European Union constitution..

The Tahoeraa Huiraatira Party has also praised the former French prime minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, for his support to get French Polynesia's new autonomy statute passed last year.

The party, which is linked to France's ruling UMP, has also acknowledged the French President's choice of prime minister and interior minister and called on French Polynesians to back the national government.

The Tahoeraa has also called on President Oscar Temaru to show respect in his statements, saying he called for President Jacques Chirac's resignation after his referendum defeat.

The party says while he seeks to improve ties with Paris, Mr Temaru's attitude is inconsistent.