The French Polynesian assembly has elected the leader of the Tahoeraa Huiraatira, Gaston Flosse, as the territory's new president for the next five years.
Mr Flosse won 29 votes, beating the candidate of the To Tatou Aia coalition, Gaston Tong Sang, who secured 27 votes.
Mr Flosse lodged his candidacy late last night and when the assembly opened this morning for the presidential election, the candidacy of Oscar Temaru of the Union For Democracy was withdrawn.
This followed a further meeting between Mr Flosse and Mr Temaru this morning to affirm their commitment to form a united group within the assembly.
Two days ago, when the assembly elected a speaker, the Tahoeraa members sided with To Tatou Aia which in turn backed the Tahoeraa candidate, Edouard Fritch.
In the early general election called by France, the To Tatou Aia coalition won 27 seats, the Union For Democracy 20 and the Tahoeraa Huiraatira 10.
Meanwhile, the newly re-elected assembly president, Edouard Fritch, has announced that he will resign once a government is formed.
Two days after being elected by mainly To Tatou Aia assembly members, Mr Fritch says his decision is to respect those who have voted for him.
In line with the power sharing agreement reached between his Tahoeraa Huiraatira and the Union For Democracy, the assembly presidency is expected to revert to Antony Geros.
