4 Oct 2013

Tahiti's Flosse won't seek re-election to French Senate

4:08 pm on 4 October 2013

French Polynesia's veteran politician, Gaston Flosse, says he won't seek re-election to the French Senate next year.

Mr Flosse, who is 82, made the announcement in the French Polynesian assembly.

He was first elected to the Senate in 1998 and confirmed in the position five years ago when the territory was given a second seat.

Mr Flosse was elected as the territory's president for a five-year term this year and would have been in a strong position to secure another term in the Senate.

An electoral college of 700 members, made up of assembly members, mayors and council members, chooses the territory's two senators and Mr Flosse's party has two thirds of all assembly seats.

A ruling from France's highest court is expected before the end of this year in a corruption case which could bar him from political office.