14 Dec 2006

French Polynesian government voted out

9:52 am on 14 December 2006

The French Polynesian territorial assembly has removed the government of Oscar Temaru set up in March last year.

All 29 members of the opposition were present this morning while the Union For Democracy's 28 MPs were at the presidency.

Walter Zweifel reports.

"The procedure lasted just over an hour to read out the motion and to vote. The Tahoeraa Huiraatira politician, Gaston Tong Sang accused Mr Temaru of causing social tension and of racism. The assembly president, Philip Schyle, read out the outcome of the vote . This is the second time in just over two years that the Temaru government has been voted out after the defection of MPs. Mr Schyle has also set December the 21st as the date for fresh presidential elections and advised those seeking the office to submit their candidacy by midnight this Saturday."