7 May 2013

French Polynesia's Tahoeraa Huiraatira deputy praises past policies

7:32 am on 7 May 2013

The deputy leader of French Polynesia'a Tahoeraa Huiraatira says the party's success in the territorial election is in part due the weak performance of the outgoing government led by Oscar Temaru.

The Tahoeraa was a distant third in the last election five years ago, but has now won just over 45 percent of the votes and also a 19-seat bonus in the new 57-member assembly, paving the way for the return of Gaston Flosse to the presidency.

Edouard Fritch says the election outcome is a win for his leader and his past policies.

"This victory is the victory of Mr Flosse also because he is the one who had built this economy in French Polynesia, who had built this new economy after the [nuclear] testing."

Gaston Flosse could be forced to quit politics this year if he loses an appeal in Paris against a corruption conviction, with Mr Fritch saying he has been ready to take over from Mr Flosse since 1981.