6 May 2009

Tahoeraa meeting put off after challenge to veteran French Polynesian leader

1:15 pm on 6 May 2009

Reports from Tahiti say a special meeting of French Polynesia's opposition Tahoeraa Huiraatira Party scheduled to be held this afternoon may be put off until next week.

The party was to discuss its internal ructions after a public challenge by its assembly leader, Edouard Fritch, who ten days ago had called on the party founder and leader, Gaston Flosse, to relinquish the leadership.

The move followed further losses of key party members who disagreed with positions taken by Mr Flosse.

Mr Fritch, who is related to Mr Flosse, left Tahiti after his unprecedented challenge.

On his return from overseas two days ago, he was welcomed by Mr Flosse.

A party meeting today to deal with the apparent rift is now said to be delayed.