The opposition in French Polynesia has mocked the ruling coalition after the assembly failed to meet because only three members were present.
The sitting of the 57 members was to be opened by the assembly's second vice-president, Teura Iriti, but only two members entered the chamber when she tried to start proceedings.
The opposition Tahoeraa Huiraatira, which also stayed away, says the majority group is nowhere to be found and might need group psychotherapy to restore any semblance of cohesion.
One of the members present says the scheduling may have been unfortunate because many of his colleagues are also mayors and have chosen to attend the French mayors' conference in France.
