French Polynesia's opposition in the territorial assembly has lost another member.
Temauri Foster says he has quit the Tahoeraa Huiraatira of the veteran politician, Gaston Flosse, and will now be an independent.
Mr Foster, who has been the mayor of Hao in the Tuamotu islands for 15 years, says he will observe developments and has yet to decide whether to join the ruling coalition led by Oscar Temaru.
His move reduces the Tahoeraa group in the 57-member assembly to 26 and follows the defection last month of a member from the Marquesas islands, Jean-Alain Frebault.
Mr Foster has told the Tahitipresse news agency that his party will hear about his decision through the media.
