The newly formed Tatou Aia Party has emerged as the biggest party in the second round of French Polynesia's early election.
Preliminary results show it has beaten the Tahoeraa Huiraatira and the Union for Democracy.
Walter Zweifel reports from Papeete.
"The eight party coalition led by Gaston Tong Sang has emerged as the new strong force in French Polynesian politics winning most votes in the second round of the early general election but falling short of an absolute majority. Preliminary results show that the Union for Democracy, which has been ruling in the lead up to this general election, came second. The Tahoeraa of Gaston Flosse suffered a further setback in the second round with the Party even losing the stronghold of Pirae to the Tatou Aia. In the biggest commune in Faa'a the Union for Democracy retained its absolute majority held by Oscar Temaru. In the absence of any party winning an absolute majority, negotiations are expected to begin over the next few days to form a majority in order to elect an Assembly president at the end of next week and a new President for French Polynesia in less than a month.''"
