The turmoil within French Polynesia's opposition Tahoeraa Huiraatira has continued, with its assembly leader now publicly calling on the party founder and leader, Gaston Flosse, to resign.
On local television, Edouard Fritch said a majority of party members agreed that the losses needed to be stopped following last week's latest resignation of prominent party members.
Since its defeat in the 2005 by-election, the once dominant Tahoeraa has lost more than 20 assembly members and both its representatives in the French assembly amid disagreements with Mr Flosse.
Mr Fritch, who for years has been Mr Flosse's right hand man and is his son-in-law, has called on him to pass the torch for the party to be rebuilt.
After his television appearance Mr Fritch is reported to have flown to New Zealand.
Mr Flosse is yet to reply to the unprecedented challenge.
