The French Polynesian President, Oscar Temaru, has confirmed his support for the French Socialist Party at a meeting in Paris.
Ben Lowings reports that the meeting between Mr Temaru and socialist leader, Francois Hollande, took place at the party headquarters in Paris.
"Mr Hollande promised to keep up support for candidates of Mr Temaru's party, Tavini Huiraatira, and Mr Temaru confirmed his support for any Socialist candidate in next year's presidntial election. Mr Temaru has already publicly endorsed Mr Hollands's partner and MP for the region of Poitiers, Segolene Royal, as a potential candidate to become France's first female president. The French Polynesian leader has met the French Prime Minister, Dominique De Villepin and urged him to stick to promises of education funding. Shortly after Mr temaru's election in 2004 the then French minister for overseas territories, Brigette Giradin, said the state would turn off the taps. On Friday, Mr Temaru is scheduled to meet President Chirac at the Elysee Palace, ahead of a summit od Pacific leaders in Paris on Monday."
