By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk
The Territorial Assembly of French Polynesia has for the first time shown a new configuration during its first administrative sitting on Friday, following a mass resignation of a group of young elected members of the ruling Tavini Huiraatira.
This follows the mass resignation of a group of 15 members of the Assembly, now headed by 25-year-old member Tematai Le Gayic.
The mass resignation de facto brings down Tavini’s majority to 22 within the Territorial Assembly (of a total of 57 MPs).
The outcome of the rift within the ruling party is that now, for the first time in its history, it is divided into two groups.
One consists of the remaining “old guard”, headed by historic pro-independence “radical” members such as former president Oscar Temaru, 81, and his closest ally, Antony Géros (currently Speaker of the Assembly and vice-president of the Tavini Party).
On the other side, the breakaway group of Tavini members from a younger generation, called A Fano Tia (Stay the course) now gathers some 15 members.
A Fano Tia is also reported to be close to French Polynesia’s government President Moetai Brotherson, whose father-in-law is Temaru.
To mark their differences with their former party, under which they were elected during the territorial elections in May 2023, A Fano Tia members appeared in the chamber dressed in white in contrast to Tavini’s light blue.
The sitting was marked by heated debates between the two groups, while the opposition “pro-autonomy” (supporters of French Polynesia remaining part of France under the current Autonomy Status) essentially stood as spectators.
‘Independence … can be neither imposed nor rushed’ – Brotherson
As a preview to future debates and local Assembly’s modus operandi, until the next territorial elections, in 2028, questions have been raised as to how a more divided house could function.
There could be more open opposition during debates for future Bills, especially those which are related to points of notorious contention (such as the notion of independence).
Tavini’s hard line, defended by Temaru, favours a short-term process to gain French Polynesia’s independence, including a more confrontational approach towards France.
Speaking last Friday, Brotherson elaborated on the divergence of views regarding independence.
“Independence is not an end in itself . . . it’s a choice, but this choice can be neither imposed nor rushed,” Brotherson said last week in the chamber.
In earlier statements, Brotherson had favoured a more gradual process within a window of “10 to 15” years.
More than ever, every Bill is likely to be treated on a case-by-case basis and alliances formed accordingly around the vote.
More alliances likely
This could also involve, on the same principle, more alliances between A Fano Tia and pro-autonomy Tapura Huiraatira, as well as a handful of independent MPs.
It could involve more open opposition from the “historic” Tavini, which could oppose future Bills from Brotherson’s government.
The other components of the Assembly include 16 from the opposition pro-France (pro-autonomy) Tapura Huiraatira and 4 others not registered under any party.
No party has an outright majority.
The rules have changed, but no one wants to topple the government
Sometimes floated during earlier Tavini internal debates, the notion of Brotherson’s departure or resignation as president was not regarded as a solution.
“Since we were elected and until 2028, there won’t be any no-confidence motion,” Géros publicly assured.
“We’re asking [Brotherson] to carry the weight of his presidency until 2028,” he told MPs.
Tapura said it was not prepared to “contribute to government instability”.
“We’ll always be here in a constructive way,” Tapura wrote in a release posted on social networks.
However, it deplored that during this session the floor had been “confiscated” by Tavini’s internal bickering.
Any no-confidence motion requires the approval of at least 35 of the 57 MPs.
Crucial legislative committees
At the sitting last week, the allocation of chairs for the Assembly’s influential legislative committees was also renewed.
A Fano Tia said it did not intend to bid for any of them because it did not want to be accused of being “opportunistic”.
As a result, Tavini retained the chair of key committees such as Economy, Finance and Budget, Education, Youth and Sports (which could turn crucial as French Polynesia is hosting the 2027 Pacific Games), as well as Tourism and Culture.
Opposition pro-autonomy Tapura also retains Employment and Public Service and gains one more committee (Health and Solidarity).
Other parliamentary committees (Institutions and International Affairs, Housing, Land and sustainable development, Transport and Public Works, as well as Agriculture and Marine resources — another point of contention between the historic Tavini and A Fano Tia — were allocated to other Assembly groups.
“Unfortunately, today, [Assembly] debates were confiscated by political statements. And at the end of the day it is [French] Polynesians who will be forgotten,” said French Polynesia’s representative at the French Senate Teva Rohfritsch.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz
