France's National Front says it would like French Polynesia to hold a referendum in 10 to 15 years on it becoming an associated country of France.
French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen. Photo: AFP
This has been outlined by the party's leader Marine Le Pen who was first to declare her candidacy in this year's presidential election and who is the only candidate to have visited the territory.
Under her plan, regal powers would remain in French control while autonomy provisions would give French Polynesia more of a say in economic matters.
In her manifesto, she wants to upgrade the significance of the overseas territories by mandating ministries to include them in their work and promises to chair twice a year an inter-ministerial meeting on French overseas issues.
Ms Le Pen also wants an upgraded ministry to deal with the overseas territories and proposes improving access to education by offering preferential access to student housing for those from overseas.
She also wants to ensure compensation for those suffering ill health from the nuclear weapons tests and offer better health care.
In the last election in 2012, she won less than six percent of the votes cast in French Polynesia.
With two months to go until the next election, Ms Le Pen is seen as a likely candidate to make it the run-off in May.
The ruling Tapura Huiraatira Party is an official backer of the centre-right candidate Francois Fillon.
