Socialist primaries yet to be confirmed for Tahiti

11:21 am on 11 January 2017

France's Socialist Party is yet to confirm that it will hold next week's primaries in French Polynesia as it is choosing its candidate for the presidential election.

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, left, with Prime Minister John Key in Auckland.

Former prime minister Manuel Valls is the front-runner for the candidacy. Photo: RNZ/Kim Baker Wilson

Its national committee said everything is in place for the contest except for French Polynesia and St Martin in the Caribbean.

A party official said talks are being held with the pro-independence Tavini Huiraatira to organise primaries which will be run over the last two weekends of the month.

The front-runner for the candidacy is a former prime minister Manuel Valls who served under the outgoing President Francois Hollande.

The centre-right Republicans have selected Francois Fillon as their nominee.

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