The losing candidate in today's French Polynesian election of a new assembly president, Edouard Fritch of the Tahoeraa Huiraatira Party, has accused President Oscar Temaru of escaping from his duties.
This comes after Mr Temaru decided to dump the Tahoeraa leader, Gaston Flosse, from top positions following deepening rifts.
Mr Fritch failed to win re-election today because the Tahoeraa had not turned on its leader.
As a result Mr Temaru's camp sided with the To Tatou Aia coalition to choose its candidate, Philip Schyle, for the top assembly job.
A new government is to be formed within the next few days, with the Tahoeraa going into opposition despite apparent regrets by some at the collapse of the two-year union with the Temaru side.
