The French Polynesian president, Oscar Temaru, has warned that early elections risk causing a social explosion that an interim administration won't be able to contain.
Mr Temaru has issued a statement on the eve of the French senate debate of electoral reforms - the fourth such change to be made by Paris in eight years in a bid to end Tahiti's political instability.
He has spoken out against shortening the term due to end in 2013 as it would immediately trigger a credit ratings downgrade.
Mr Temaru, who came to power last two months ago, also warns that public finances would be put at risk, with no budgets adopted and any economic recovery quashed.
There have been calls for elections in November.
