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New term for Polynesia president Polynesia poll win shocks France
(about 3 hours later)
A ceremony has been held in Tahiti, French Polynesia, to mark the election of Gaston Flosse as president. French President Nicolas Sarkozy's party, the UMP, is to sever all links with the newly elected president of French Polynesia, Gaston Flosse.
It is the fourth time he has held the position in the last 25 years. Mr Flosse unexpectedly returned to power at the weekend despite being routed in elections.
Mr Flosse has long supported wide-ranging autonomy for the South Pacific archipelago instead of independence from France. The move shocked mainland France, where the government was hoping for an end to years of political manoeuvring and instability in the Pacific territory.
Snap elections were called by Paris in an attempt to end recent political instability on the islands. It is the fourth time Mr Flosse has held the position in the last 25 years.
Even by French Polynesia's unpredictable standards, the election of Mr Flosse as president was a big surprise. His party came third in national elections, winning just 17% of the vote.
His party came third in national elections, and at the age of 76 the veteran pro-France leader seemed to be losing his political magic. 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.
This astonishing deal was struck to deny victory to Gaston Tong Song, an ethnic Chinese politician. Patrick Devedjian, UMP secretary general, described the pact as "against nature".
He - like his former mentor Gaston Flosse - is pro-France but has made too many enemies. 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.
Revolving door Corruption charges
Colonial ties dominate pollColonial 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 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. 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.