Political parties in French Polynesia are upset that the operator of the new King Tamatoa fast ferry is no longer including the island of Tahaa on its routes because an assembly member from Tahaa was absent from the vote for a ferry subsidy.
The subsidy was granted thanks to the opposition mustering a majority of votes.
In a statement, the ruling To Tatou Aia says the managers of the King Tamatoa should not forget that they are not in a banana republic that is in the hands of private cartels.
It says French Polynesia is a democracy which is integrated into the republic that won't give in to pressure by groups with dubious practices.
The Tahoeraa Huiraatira Party says it regrets that the people of Tahaa are punished in this way by the billionaire ferry owner, Bill Ravel
