Highlights: With 34.9% of the vote, the list of former President Oscar Temaru and MP Moetai Brotherson, came first in the first round of the elections of the Assembly of Polynesia, Sunday, April 16, 2023. They will face in the second round the autonomists of the outgoing president, as well as another autonomist list, according to provisional results released Sunday. None of the other five lists reached the 12.5% mark of votes cast, and are eliminated.

With 34.9% of the vote, the list of former President Oscar Temaru and MP Moetai Brotherson, came out ahead in the first round of the elections of the Assembly of Polynesia, Sunday, April 16, 2023,...

Territorial elections in French Polynesia: the separatists in the lead in the first round

Voting operations for the first round of territorial elections in Punaauia, Tahiti, French Polynesia, April 16, 2023. AFP - SULIANE FAVENNEC

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With 34.9% of the vote, the list of former President Oscar Temaru and MP Moetai Brotherson, came first in the first round of the elections of the Assembly of Polynesia, Sunday, April 16, 2023, according to the provisional results of the High Commission. On 30th April this pro-independence list will face in the second round that of President Edouard Fritch (30.46%), and that of the former autonomist Vice-President Nuihau Laurey (14.54%). None of the other five lists reached the 12.5% mark of votes cast. They are eliminated.

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The separatists came out ahead in an important election that promised to be uncertain, in French Polynesia. They will face in the second round the autonomists of the outgoing president, as well as another autonomist list, according to provisional results released Sunday.

If a confirmed victory on 30th April next they would for the first time be in a position of strength vis-à-vis Paris, to negotiate a decolonisation process and a referendum on self-determination. Especially since it is the Assembly that chooses the Polynesian president.

This is a significant probability, since Oscar Temaru's Tavini party could benefit from a large part of the vote carryovers of the parties eliminated in the first round, the latter having all campaigned against the incumbent president and his majority in the chamber.

The latter, Edouard Fritch, carries with him the memory of Covid, and despite a rather positive economic balance sheet, the high inflation suffered by Polynesia in 2022 (8.5%) is also attributed to him by part of the opinion, because he introduced a new VAT to preserve the local Social Security.

His opponent Moetai Brotherson campaigned on the abolition of this tax and more generally on purchasing power. He also spoke little about independence and was able to seduce beyond this electorate, capitalizing on the rejection of the outgoing president.

The pro-independence party had already won the three seats allocated to Polynesia in the National Assembly in Paris. Among them: the youngest deputy of the Bourbon Palace, Tematai Le Gayic, as well as Steve Chailloux and Moetai Brotherson.

It is now he, Mr. Broterson, the favorite for the presidency and then the formation of a government, especially since the list that wins benefits from a majority bonus ensuring it three-quarters of the 57 seats – the chamber will also have to have its own president.

► Read also Elections in French Polynesia: "The future of Polynesia within the framework of the Republic is at stake"

Territorial elections in French Polynesia: the separatists in the lead in the first round

Territorial elections in French Polynesia: the separatists in the lead in the first round

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