French Polynesia's assembly approves 2018 budget Photo: French Polynesia presidency
French Polynesia's assembly has approved a budget of $US1.6 billion for 2018.
Two thirds of the members voted for it, with the President Edouard Fritch hailing it as a document helping economic recovery and cutting debt.
While he admitted that poverty had increased he said the government needed to tighten its belt.
The pro-independence opposition said any improvement next year would only be due to improved international conditions.
The budget debate saw the Tahoeraa Huiraatira and the ruling Tapura Huiraatira sparring over the policy and legacy of Gaston Flosse, the Tahoeraa leader banned from public office.
The Tahoeraa questioned trickle-down economics but Mr Fritch retorted that everything had to revolve around Flosse.
Photo: 123RF
