The new municipal council of Tumaraa in French Polynesia has
elected Justine Teura as new mayor, ousting Cyril Tetuanui of the
opposition Tahoeraa Huiraatira Party.
This comes after two rounds of voting to choose a new council which
now has a one-member majority in favour of the Union For Demcoracy.
Tumaraa on the island of Raiatea held an early election because
serious differences within the council had forced it to be
dissolved.
But the Tahoeraa has now issued a statement, alleging that the
Union For Democracy has orchestrated what it calls a putsch to
block Mr Tetuanui.
It alleges that the winners' chosen methods are akin those of a
banana republic.
It is not clear if the Tahoeraa will make a formal appeal to
challenge the outocome.
In 2004, the party successfully complained about irregularities in
the territorial election, prompting fresh elections for two thirds
of the assembly.
