French Polynesian presidential election, 2009
Encyclopedia
An indirect presidential election was held in French Polynesia
on 11 February 2009, after defections from the ruling pro-autonomy faction and a scheduled constructive vote of no confidence
planned for 12 February 2009 caused the incumbent
Gaston Tong Sang
to step down on 7 February 2009.
This presidential election was the third in less than a year since the 2008 general election
, which had been called by France
to promote political stability. In total, there have been seven changes of government in French Polynesia since the 2004 general election
.
The President
is chosen by members of the Assembly
.
to try to create a union government and set the stage for new elections. The negotiations failed to produce any tangible results, and were deemed as a failure.
President Tong Sang announced on 7 February 2009, that he would step down ahead of a proposed censure
motion against his government by a coalition of pro-separatist parties led by Temaru. Tong Sang's resignation, which he described as "immediate" was widely expected in the French Polynesian media, which characterized the move as a "strategy of resignation".
The censure motion proposal against the Tong Sang government was supported by the Union for Democracy (UPLD), Tahoera'a Huiraatira
, and Rautahi political parties. Together these parties put Temaru forward as their candidate for president as part of the no confidence measure. Supporters of the censure motion claimed that they could guarantee the support of 31 of the 57 members in the Assembly.
Following his announcement of his intent to resign, Tong Sang immediately left Tahiti
for Bora Bora
, where he also serves as the mayor.
Temaru, who also served as the President of the Assembly at the time, accepted Tong Sang's resignation, paving the way for a new presidential election.
Four candidates were nominated:
The coalition which allowed Temaru to return to power consisted of Temaru's Union for Democracy, Flosse's and Fritch's Tahoeraa Huiraatira and Bouissou's Rautahi party.
In his nomination speech to the Assembly, Temaru described the current tourism situation in French Polynesia as "catastrophic". Temaru noted that hotel occupancy rates in Bora Bora and Moorea
are currently less than 20% on certain days due to the world financial crisis. He explained that the huge drop in foreign visitors may cause the government to cut the work hours of government employees, lay off workers or close state-owned hotels.
French Polynesia
French Polynesia is an overseas country of the French Republic . It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the territory...
on 11 February 2009, after defections from the ruling pro-autonomy faction and a scheduled constructive vote of no confidence
Constructive vote of no confidence
The constructive vote of no confidence is a variation on the motion of no confidence which allows a parliament to withdraw confidence from a head of government only if there is a positive majority for a prospective successor...
planned for 12 February 2009 caused the incumbent
Incumbent
The incumbent, in politics, is the existing holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent. For example, in the 2004 United States presidential election, George W...
Gaston Tong Sang
Gaston Tong Sang
Gaston Tong Sang is the former President of French Polynesia. He served terms as President of French Polynesia from November 2009 until April 2011, from April 2008 until February 2009 and from December 2006 until September 2007.; he is currently the Mayor of Bora-Bora...
to step down on 7 February 2009.
This presidential election was the third in less than a year since the 2008 general election
French Polynesian legislative election, 2008
An early legislative election to the Assembly of French Polynesia was held in French Polynesia in early 2008. The first round of the election was held on 27 January 2008, with the second round held on 10 February 2008...
, which had been called by France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
to promote political stability. In total, there have been seven changes of government in French Polynesia since the 2004 general election
French Polynesian legislative election, 2004
Elections for the Assembly of French Polynesia, the Territorial Assembly of French Polynesia, were held on May 23, 2004.In a surprise result Oscar Temaru's pro-independence progressive coalition formed Government with a one seat majority in the 57 seat parliament, defeating the conservative party...
.
The President
President of French Polynesia
This is the list of Presidents of French Polynesia.-See also:*List of monarchs of Tahiti*Colonial and Departmental Heads of French Polynesia-External links:*...
is chosen by members of the Assembly
Assembly of French Polynesia
The Assembly of French Polynesia is the unicameral legislature of French Polynesia, located at the Place Tarahoi in Papeete, Tahiti. It consists of 57 members who are elected by popular vote and by proportional representation in 6 multi-seat constituencies. The only official language of the...
.
Election background
Six of the members of President Gaston Tong Sang's governing coalition had quit in the months proceeding the 2009 presidential election, leaving his government open to potential challengers. In January 2009, Tong Sang had opened negotiations with Oscar TemaruOscar Temaru
Oscar Manutahi Temaru is a French Polynesian politician. He has been President of French Polynesia , a French dependency with broad powers of self-rule, on five occasions: in 2004, from 2005 to 2006, from 2007 to 2008, in 2009, and again since 1 April 2011.-Career:He first served as the President...
to try to create a union government and set the stage for new elections. The negotiations failed to produce any tangible results, and were deemed as a failure.
President Tong Sang announced on 7 February 2009, that he would step down ahead of a proposed censure
Censure
A censure is an expression of strong disapproval or harsh criticism. Among the forms that it can take are a stern rebuke by a legislature, a spiritual penalty imposed by a church, and a negative judgment pronounced on a theological proposition.-Politics:...
motion against his government by a coalition of pro-separatist parties led by Temaru. Tong Sang's resignation, which he described as "immediate" was widely expected in the French Polynesian media, which characterized the move as a "strategy of resignation".
The censure motion proposal against the Tong Sang government was supported by the Union for Democracy (UPLD), Tahoera'a Huiraatira
Tahoera'a Huiraatira
Tāhōʻēraʻa Huiraʻatira is a political party in French Polynesia.At the last legislative elections on May 23, 2004, and by-elections on February 13, 2005, the party won 27 out of 57 seats....
, and Rautahi political parties. Together these parties put Temaru forward as their candidate for president as part of the no confidence measure. Supporters of the censure motion claimed that they could guarantee the support of 31 of the 57 members in the Assembly.
Following his announcement of his intent to resign, Tong Sang immediately left Tahiti
Tahiti
Tahiti is the largest island in the Windward group of French Polynesia, located in the archipelago of the Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is the economic, cultural and political centre of French Polynesia. The island was formed from volcanic activity and is high and mountainous...
for Bora Bora
Bora Bora
The commune of Bora-Bora is made up of the island of Bora Bora proper with its surrounding islets emerging from the coral reef, 29.3 km² in total, and of the atoll of Tupai , located north of Bora Bora...
, where he also serves as the mayor.
Temaru, who also served as the President of the Assembly at the time, accepted Tong Sang's resignation, paving the way for a new presidential election.
Election
Oscar Temaru appeared likely to be elected President, but shortly before the election, there were reports that the accord between Temaru, Gaston Flosse and Jean Christophe Bouissou had broken up again, calling into question Temaru's chances.Four candidates were nominated:
- Oscar TemaruOscar TemaruOscar Manutahi Temaru is a French Polynesian politician. He has been President of French Polynesia , a French dependency with broad powers of self-rule, on five occasions: in 2004, from 2005 to 2006, from 2007 to 2008, in 2009, and again since 1 April 2011.-Career:He first served as the President...
, by Tavini HuiraatiraTavini HuiraatiraThe Tavini Huiraatira is a political party in French Polynesia.The party was founded in 1977 by Oscar Temaru under the name the Front for the Liberation of Polynesia...
and the Union for Democracy - Gaston Tong SangGaston Tong SangGaston Tong Sang is the former President of French Polynesia. He served terms as President of French Polynesia from November 2009 until April 2011, from April 2008 until February 2009 and from December 2006 until September 2007.; he is currently the Mayor of Bora-Bora...
, by O Porinetia To Tatou Ai'aO Porinetia To Tatou Ai'a‘O Pōrīnetia To Tātou ‘Ai‘a is a French Polynesian anti-independence political party founded by Gaston Tong Sang on 1 October 2007 after he split from his former party, the Tāhō‘ēra‘a Huira‘atira... - Edouard FritchEdouard FritchEdouard Fritch is French Polynesian politician. He has served as the current Speaker of the Assembly of French Polynesia since April 12, 2007...
, by Tahoera'a HuiraatiraTahoera'a HuiraatiraTāhōʻēraʻa Huiraʻatira is a political party in French Polynesia.At the last legislative elections on May 23, 2004, and by-elections on February 13, 2005, the party won 27 out of 57 seats.... - Sandra Levy Agami, formerly a member of Tong Sang's alliance
First round
In the first round of voting in the morning, Temaru received 24 votes, Tong Sang 20, Fritch 12 and Levy Agami one. The first round thus proved inconclusive, leading to a second round in the afternoon.Second round
The second round of the election was held later on the afternoon of February 11, 2009. Temaru and Tong Sang advanced from the morning's first round. The Assembly elected Oscar Temaru as the next President during the second round. Temaru won 37 votes in the Assembly, which was 17 more votes than outgoing former President Tong Sang's 20. Temaru was elected thanks to support from the Tahoera'a Huiraatira party. The Tahoera'a Huiraatira candidate, Edouard Fritch, was defeated in the first round, and later support to Temaru. Temaru became President of French Polynesia for the fourth time in less than five years.The coalition which allowed Temaru to return to power consisted of Temaru's Union for Democracy, Flosse's and Fritch's Tahoeraa Huiraatira and Bouissou's Rautahi party.
In his nomination speech to the Assembly, Temaru described the current tourism situation in French Polynesia as "catastrophic". Temaru noted that hotel occupancy rates in Bora Bora and Moorea
Moorea
Moʻorea is a high island in French Polynesia, part of the Society Islands, 17 km northwest of Tahiti. Its position is . Moʻorea means "yellow lizard" in Tahitian...
are currently less than 20% on certain days due to the world financial crisis. He explained that the huge drop in foreign visitors may cause the government to cut the work hours of government employees, lay off workers or close state-owned hotels.
Results
| French Polynesian presidential election, 2009 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | First round | Second round | |||
| Votes | Percentage | Votes | Percentage | |||
| Tavini Huiraatira Tavini Huiraatira The Tavini Huiraatira is a political party in French Polynesia.The party was founded in 1977 by Oscar Temaru under the name the Front for the Liberation of Polynesia... |
Oscar Temaru Oscar Temaru Oscar Manutahi Temaru is a French Polynesian politician. He has been President of French Polynesia , a French dependency with broad powers of self-rule, on five occasions: in 2004, from 2005 to 2006, from 2007 to 2008, in 2009, and again since 1 April 2011.-Career:He first served as the President... |
24 | 42.11% | 37 | 64.91% | |
| O Porinetia To Tatou Ai'a O Porinetia To Tatou Ai'a ‘O Pōrīnetia To Tātou ‘Ai‘a is a French Polynesian anti-independence political party founded by Gaston Tong Sang on 1 October 2007 after he split from his former party, the Tāhō‘ēra‘a Huira‘atira... |
Gaston Tong Sang Gaston Tong Sang Gaston Tong Sang is the former President of French Polynesia. He served terms as President of French Polynesia from November 2009 until April 2011, from April 2008 until February 2009 and from December 2006 until September 2007.; he is currently the Mayor of Bora-Bora... |
20 | 35.09% | 20 | 35.09% | |
| Tahoera'a Huiraatira Tahoera'a Huiraatira Tāhōʻēraʻa Huiraʻatira is a political party in French Polynesia.At the last legislative elections on May 23, 2004, and by-elections on February 13, 2005, the party won 27 out of 57 seats.... |
Edouard Fritch Edouard Fritch Edouard Fritch is French Polynesian politician. He has served as the current Speaker of the Assembly of French Polynesia since April 12, 2007... |
12 | 21.05% | |||
| Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
Sandra Levy Agami | 1 | 1.75% | |||
| Totals | 57 | 100.00% | 57 | 100.00% | ||