13 Sep 2014

Fritch elected as President of French Polynesia

9:28 am on 13 September 2014

French Polynesia's territorial assembly has elected Edouard Fritch as President.

The assembly voted him in with 46 votes, giving the opposition candidate Richard Tuheiava ten votes.

The election follows last week's removal of Gaston Flosse from office after the French government decided to serve him last July's court sentence for corruption.

The ruling Tahoeraa Huiraatira had nominated Mr Fritch during the week and was widely expected to win as the Tahoeraa dominates the assembly.

Mr Fritch has been the president of the territorial assembly and is the mayor of Pirae.

The French Polynesia parliament building

The French Polynesia parliament building Photo: RNZ