Home > Politics of French Polynesia

conventional long form: Territory of French Polynesia
conventional short form: French Polynesia
local long form: Territoire de la Polynésie Française
local short form: Polynésie Française

Data code: FP

Dependency status:

Between 1946 and 2003, French Polynesia had the status of an overseas territory ( French: territoire d'outre-mer, or TOM). In 2003 and beginning of 2004 it was briefly an overseas collectivity ( French: collectivité d'outre-mer , or COM). The new status of overseas "country" gives a large autonomy to the territory, while remaining part of the French Republic.

See also: Administrative divisions of France

Government type: NA

Capital: Papeete

Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 5 archipelagic divisions named:

• Archipel des Marquises
• Archipel des Tuamotu
• Archipel des Tubuai
• Îles du Vent
• Îles Sous-le-Vent

note: Clipperton Island, just off the coast of Mexico, is administered by France from French Polynesia

Independence: none (overseas territory of France)

National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, July 14, 1789.

Constitution: September 28September 28 is the 271st day of the year (272nd in leap years). There are 94 days remaining. Events 480 BC The battle of Salamis is fought between the Persian and Greek navies exact date uncertain 48 BC Pompey the Great is assassinated on orders of King, 1958Events January January 1 Treaty of Rome founding the EU is implemented January 4 Sputnik 1 falls to Earth from its orbit (launched on October 4 1957) January 8 14 year old Bobby Fischer wins the United States Chess Championship January 18 Armed Lumbee Nat ( French ConstitutionThe current Constitution of France was adopted on October 4, 1958, and has been amended 17 times, most recently on March 28, 2003. It is typically called the Constitution of the Fifth Republic, and replaced that of the Fourth Republic dating from October)

Legal system: based on French system

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Jacques ChiracJacques Rene Chirac Became President 17 May 1995 Predecessor Francois Mitterrand Date of Birth 29 November 1932 Place of Birth Paris Political party Union for a Popular Movement Jacques Rene Chirac (born 29 November 1932) is a French politician. He was el of France (since May 17May 17 is the 137th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (138th in leap years). There are 228 days remaining. Events 1590 Anne of Denmark is crowned Queen of Scotland. 1642 Paul Chomedey, sieur de Maisonneuve (1612-1676) founds the Ville Marie de Mon, 19951995 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). It has a Golden number of 1, and was the first year of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (1995- 2005): http://www. org/culture/indigenous . Events January events Ja), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Paul RONCIERE (since NA 1994)

head of government: President of the Territorial Government of French Polynesia Oscar TemaruOscar Temaru (born November 1, 1944) at Faa'a on the island of Tahiti. He is a politician in French Polynesia. He was the President of that country from June 15, 2004, until his Government lost a censure motion on October 8, 2004. He was the caretaker Pre (born 1944) since 15 June 2004; President of the Territorial Assembly Justin ARAPARI (since 13 May 1996)

cabinet: Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members of the Territorial Assembly for approval by them to serve as ministers
elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the Territorial Government and the president of the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly

Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (41 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 12 May 1996 (next to be held NA 2001)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 22, Independent Front for the Liberation of Polynesia 10, New Fatherland Party 5, other 4

note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on 24 September 1989 (next to be held NA September 1998); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UC 1; two seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 25 May - 1 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 2

Judicial branch:

Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif

Political parties and leaders:

• Centrist Union or UC [leader NA]
• Entente Polynesian [Arthur CHUNG]
• Haere i Mua [Alexandre LEONTIEFF]
• Independent Front for the Liberation of Polynesia (Tavini Huiraatira) [Oscar TEMARU]
• Independent Party (Ia Mana Te Nunaa) [Jacques DROLLET]; New Fatherland Party (Ai'a Api) [Emile VERNAUDON]
• People's Rally for the Republic (Tahoeraa Huiraatira) [Gaston FLOSSE]
• Polynesian Union Party (includes Te Tiarama and Pupu Here Ai'a Party) [Jean JUVENTIN]
• Pupu Taina [Michel LAW]
• Te Aratia Ote Nunaa (Tinomana Ebb)
• Te e'a No Maohi Nui [Jean-Marius RAAPOTO]

International organization participation:

Flag description: two narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white band; centered on the white band is a disk with blue and white wave pattern on the lower half and gold and white ray pattern on the upper half; a stylized red, blue and white ship rides on the wave pattern; the French flag is used for official occasions