14 Mar 2006

Municipal election in French Polynesia point to change

3:24 pm on 14 March 2006

The early municipal election on French Polynesia's Raiatea island has given the council led by the incumbent mayor, Cyril Tetuanui, 11 of the council's 23 seats.

The election was called after serious differences in the council in Tumaraa after Mr Tetuanui joined the opposition Tahoeraa Huiraatira Party.

The election of a new mayor will be held at the end of this week, with 12 of the 23 council seats now being held by members of the ruling Union For Democracy.