16 Jan 2009

French Polynesian budget woes unsettle politicians

2:25 pm on 16 January 2009

Political parties in French Polynesia continue to express concern over the difficulties in advancing the passing of the 2009 budget.

The balance of power is being held by a former To Tatou Aia coalition member who quit the group last month to leave the two main camps with 28 seats each in the 57-strong assembly.

According to Tahitipresse, a senior coalition politician, Jean-Christophe Bouissou, says the situation is becoming laughable and lamentable for everybody.

He says the government cannot continue to give in to all demands.

The small pro-independence Ia Mana te Nunaa party has called on President Gaston Tong Sang to resign.

It says fresh elections should be called under a system that has just one electorate and gives the winning list a bonus number of seats.

The last election was held 11 month ago and was brought forward by France which at the time had also changed the electoral system.