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Polynesia poll win shocks France | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
French President Nicolas Sarkozy's party, the UMP, is to sever all links with the newly elected president of French Polynesia, Gaston Flosse. | |
Mr Flosse unexpectedly returned to power at the weekend despite being routed in elections. | |
The move shocked mainland France, where the government was hoping for an end to years of political manoeuvring and instability in the Pacific territory. | |
It is the fourth time Mr Flosse has held the position in the last 25 years. | |
His party came third in national elections, winning just 17% of the vote. | |
At the age of 76 the veteran pro-France leader seemed to be losing his political magic, the BBC's Phil Mercer, in Sydney, says. | |
But a remarkable alliance - between independence campaigners and those who believe that Tahiti and the rest of the archipelago should remain French - has secured Mr Flosse another term as president. | But a remarkable alliance - between independence campaigners and those who believe that Tahiti and the rest of the archipelago should remain French - has secured Mr Flosse another term as president. |
Patrick Devedjian, UMP secretary general, described the pact as "against nature". | |
The deal denied victory to Gaston Tong Song, a moderate ethnic Chinese politician. He - like his former mentor Mr Flosse - is pro-France but has made too many enemies, our correspondent says. | |
Corruption charges | |
Colonial ties dominate poll | Colonial ties dominate poll |
Mr Flosse ran French Polynesia for the best part of two decades before being ousted in 2004. | |
His election as president saw minor clashes outside the local assembly, which as part of the same political deal came under the control of his son-in-law. | |
BBC East Asia analyst Andre Vornic says Mr Flosse is closely associated with the former French president, Jacques Chirac, and a patriarchal form of politics that has fallen out of favour in Paris. | |
Facing various corruption charges over the years, he has always seen those dropped or amnestied. Critics accuse him of intimidating prosecutors. | |
The most serious allegations against him concern the disappearance of a journalist a decade ago, at the hands - it has been argued - of his private militia. | |
'Only viable option' | |
Law professor Yves-Louis Sage, from the University of French Polynesia, said that despite his unexpected win Mr Flosse's views are in tune with most voters. | Law professor Yves-Louis Sage, from the University of French Polynesia, said that despite his unexpected win Mr Flosse's views are in tune with most voters. |
"The vast majority of the Tahitian population wants to keep some links with France and autonomy is for them the only viable option," he said. | "The vast majority of the Tahitian population wants to keep some links with France and autonomy is for them the only viable option," he said. |
"As far as independence is concerned, maybe in 20 years or 30 years, but it's not an immediate concern for the population. They are more concerned about stability." | "As far as independence is concerned, maybe in 20 years or 30 years, but it's not an immediate concern for the population. They are more concerned about stability." |
The office of the president has become a revolving door in recent years. | The office of the president has become a revolving door in recent years. |
Leaders of French Polynesia have come and gone amid uncertainty and intrigue. | Leaders of French Polynesia have come and gone amid uncertainty and intrigue. |
The elections were called a year early by France, under a new system designed to eradicate this volatility. | |
The French control law enforcement and the judicial system in French Polynesia, but autonomous local officials manage other areas, including education and finance. | |
There has been friction with Paris in the past over nuclear testing. | There has been friction with Paris in the past over nuclear testing. |
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