2023 French Polynesian legislative election
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox legislative election
| country = French Polynesia
| previous_election = 2018
| next_election = 2028
| election_date = 16 April 2023 (first round)
30 April 2023 (second round)
| seats_for_election = All 57 seats in the Assembly of French Polynesia
| majority_seats = 29
| turnout = 60.08% (first round) {{decrease}}1.43pp
69.96% (second round) {{increase}}3.14pp
| party1 = Tāvini Huiraʻatira
| leader1 = Oscar Temaru
| last_election1 = 8
| seats1 = 38
| percentage1 = 44.32
| party2 = Tāpura–ʻĀmuitahiraʻa
| leader2 = Édouard Fritch
| last_election2 = 49
| seats2 = 16
| percentage2 = 38.53
| party3 = A here ia Porinetia
| leader3 = Nuihau Laurey
| last_election3 = New
| seats3 = 3
| percentage3 = 17.16
| title = President of the Assembly of French Polynesia
| before_election = Gaston Tong Sang
| before_party = Tāpura Huiraʻatira
| posttitle = President of the Assembly of French Polynesia
| after_election = Antony Géros
| after_party = Tāvini Huiraʻatira
| map = {{switcher
|Second round results by constistuency
|Second round results by commune
}}
}}
Legislative elections were held in French Polynesia on 16 and 30 April 2023 to elect 57 representatives of the Assembly.{{cite web |url=https://outremers360.com/bassin-pacifique-appli/territoriales-2023-en-polynesie-les-electeurs-appeles-aux-urnes-les-16-et-30-avril-tour-dhorizon-des-forces-et-equilibres-politiques |title=Territoriales 2023 en Polynésie : Les électeurs appelés aux urnes les 16 et 30 avril, tour d'horizon des forces et équilibres politiques |publisher=Outremers 360 |language=fr |date=16 December 2022 |access-date=22 January 2023}} The last election was in 2018.{{Cite web|title=Dépenses de campagne / 2018 / APF / Élections / Politiques publiques / Accueil - Les services de l'État en Polynesie française|url=http://www.polynesie-francaise.pref.gouv.fr/Politiques-publiques/Elections/APF/2018/Depenses-de-campagne|access-date=2022-02-16|website=www.polynesie-francaise.pref.gouv.fr}}
The pro-autonomist Tāpura Huiraʻatira government, led by President Édouard Fritch, sought to win a second consecutive full term, but was defeated by the pro-separatist Tāvini Huiraʻatira opposition, led by former President Oscar Temaru, in a landslide. The Tāvini Huiraʻatira party won 38 of the 57 seats.{{cite web |url=https://www.tahiti-infos.com/La-nouvelle-composition-de-l-assemblee_a216883.html |title=La nouvelle composition de l'assemblée |publisher=Tahiti Infos |language=fr |date=1 May 2023 |access-date=1 May 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/489092/french-polynesia-set-for-pro-independence-president-after-election |title=French Polynesia set for pro-independence president after election |publisher=RNZ |date=2 May 2023 |access-date=2 May 2023}} Following the election, Moetai Brotherson, Tāvini Huiraʻatira's deputy leader, was elected President of French Polynesia by 38 votes against 16 for Fritch and 3 for pro-autonomist Nicole Sanquer of A here ia Porinetia.{{cite web |url=https://www.tahiti-infos.com/Moetai-Brotherson-elu-a-la-tete-du-Pays_a217120.html |title=Moetai Brotherson élu à la tête du Pays |publisher=Tahiti Infos |language=fr |date=12 May 2023 |access-date=13 May 2023}}
Background
The 2018 French Polynesian legislative election saw the Tāpura Huiraʻatira party led by Édouard Fritch emerge as the largest in the Assembly, winning 38 of the 57 seats.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/356844/french-polynesia-incumbent-wins-resounding-election-victory |title=French Polynesia incumbent wins resounding election victory |publisher=RNZ |date=8 May 2018 |access-date=27 February 2022}} Fritch was re-elected as President of French Polynesia,{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/357729/edouard-fritch-is-re-elected-french-polynesia-president |title=Edouard Fritch is re-elected French Polynesia president |publisher=RNZ |date=19 May 2018 |access-date=27 February 2022}} while former President Gaston Tong Sang was elected President of the Assembly.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/357650/tong-sang-elected-french-polynesia-assembly-president |title=Tong Sang elected French Polynesia assembly president |publisher=RNZ |date=19 May 2018 |access-date=27 February 2022}}
French Polynesia has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=Déclaration du Haut-Commissaire sur les adaptations aux mesures de confinement dans les archipels à l'exception de Tahiti et Moorea / 2020 / Communiqués de presse / Actualités / Accueil - Les services de l'État en Polynesie française|url=http://www.polynesie-francaise.pref.gouv.fr/Actualites/Communiques-de-presse/2020/Declaration-du-Haut-Commissaire-sur-les-adaptations-aux-mesures-de-confinement-dans-les-archipels-a-l-exception-de-Tahiti-et-Moorea|access-date=2022-02-16|website=www.polynesie-francaise.pref.gouv.fr}}
Electoral system
File:French Polynesia Assembly 2022.svg
The 57 members of the Assembly of French Polynesia are elected by a proportional multi-member list of two rounds, with a majority premium. Polynesia is a single constituency whose communes make up eight sub-divisions called sections, each with a majority premium of one to four seats according to their population, for a total of 19 premium seats.
Each list presents 73 candidates in the eight sections. Each list is composed alternately of a candidate of each sex. In the first round, the list having received an absolute majority of votes in its section is awarded the majority bonus, then the remaining seats are distributed proportionally among all the lists having crossed the electoral threshold of 5% of the votes according to the method of voting. If no list obtains more than 50% of the votes cast, a second round is held between all the lists having collected more than 12.5% of the votes, those having collected between 5% and 12.5% being able to merge with the lists that have been maintained. The leading list then gets the majority bonus, and the remaining seats are distributed proportionally under the same conditions.{{Légifrance|base=JORF|numéro=DOMX0300085L|texte=Loi organique n° 2004-192 du 27 février 2004 portant statut d'autonomie de la Polynésie française (1)}}.
The lists may be reimbursed for part of their campaign costs if they reach the threshold of 3% of the votes cast in the first round, provided that they comply with accounting transparency requirements and legislation on the format of documents.[http://www.polynesie-francaise.pref.gouv.fr/DOSSIERS/Elections/Election-des-representants-a-l-Assemblee-de-la-Polynesie-francaise-2018/Depenses-de-campagne Dépenses de campagne] Haut-Commissariat de la République en Polynésie française
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+Electoral sections of French Polynesia ! rowspan="2" |Section ! colspan="2" |Seats |
| Proportional
!Majority bonus |
|---|
| Windward Isles 1
|13 |4 |
| Windward Isles 2
|13 |4 |
| Windward Isles 3
|11 |4 |
| Leeward Islands
|8 |3 |
| West Tuamotus
|3 |1 |
| Gambier Islands and East Tuamotus
|3 |1 |
| Marquesas Islands
|3 |1 |
| Austral Islands
|3 |1 |
Party participation
Prior to the election Tapura leader Édouard Fritch obtained a court ruling that the two-term limit applied to whole terms, and that therefore he was eligible to be elected as president despite having served in the role for nine years.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/477756/fritch-to-retain-presidency-if-he-wins-election-french-court-rules |title=Fritch to retain presidency if he wins election French court rules |publisher=RNZ |date=31 October 2022 |access-date=23 January 2023}}
After being inactive for 15 years, Here Ai'a announced on 21 January 2023 that it would contest the 2023 election, and that its program would focus on independence.{{cite web |url=https://www.tahiti-infos.com/Le-Here-Ai-a-de-Gustave-Taputu-de-retour-pour-les-territoriales_a214795.html |title=Le Here Ai'a de Gustave Taputu de retour pour les territoriales |publisher=Tahiti Infos |language=fr |date=21 January 2023 |access-date=22 January 2023}}
In February 2023 A here ia Porinetia named Nuihau Laurey as head of its list.{{cite web |url=https://www.tahiti-infos.com/Nuihau-Laurey-designe-tete-de-liste-de-A-Here-ia-Porinetia_a215277.html |title=Nuihau Laurey désigné tête de liste de A Here ia Porinetia |publisher=Tahiti Infos |language=fr |date=10 February 2023 |access-date=12 February 2023}} It published its full list on 25 February 2023.{{cite web |url=https://www.tahiti-infos.com/La-liste-du-A-Here%C2%A0ia%C2%A0Porinetia-devoilee_a215592.html |title=La liste du A Here ia Porinetia dévoilée |publisher=Tahiti Infos |language=fr |date=25 February 2023 |access-date=28 February 2023}}
On 14 February 2023 Tamatoa Perez announced he would contest the elections with the Te reo manahune party.{{cite web |url=https://www.tahiti-infos.com/Tamatoa-Perez-s-embarque-pour-les-territoriales_a215350.html |title=Tamatoa Perez s'embarque pour les territoriales |publisher=Tahiti Infos |language=fr |date=14 February 2023 |access-date=15 February 2023}}
On 10 March 2023 Tāvini Huiraʻatira announced that Moetai Brotherson would be their candidate for the presidency.{{cite web |url=https://www.tahiti-infos.com/%E2%80%8BMoetai-Brotherson-brigue-la-presidence-de-la-Polynesie_a215858.html |title=Moetai Brotherson brigue la présidence de la Polynésie |publisher=Tahiti Infos |language=fr |date=10 March 2023 |access-date=11 March 2023}}
On 14 March 2023 Heiura-Les Verts became the first party to formally submit a party list.{{cite web |url=https://www.tahiti-infos.com/Heiura-Les-Verts-premiere-liste-deposee-pour-les-territoriales_a215935.html |title=Heiura-Les Verts première liste déposée pour les territoriales |publisher=Tahiti Infos |language=fr |date=14 March 2023 |access-date=16 March 2023}} Tāvini Huiraʻatira, Tāpura Huiraʻatira, and A here ia Porinetia submitted their lists on 17 March.{{cite web |url=https://www.tahiti-infos.com/%E2%80%8BLa-liste-complete-du-Tavini_a216023.html |title=La liste complète du Tavini |publisher=Tahiti Infos |language=fr |date=17 March 2023 |access-date=20 March 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.tahiti-infos.com/La-liste-du-Tapura-deposee-et-devoilee_a216020.html |title=La liste du Tapura déposée et dévoilée |publisher=Tahiti Infos |language=fr |date=17 March 2023 |access-date=20 March 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.tahiti-infos.com/Decouvrez-la-liste-du-A-Here-ia-Porinetia_a216021.html |title=Découvrez la liste du A Here ia Porinetia |publisher=Tahiti Infos |language=fr |date=17 March 2023 |access-date=20 March 2023}} A total of seven lists were submitted.{{cite web |url=https://www.tahiti-infos.com/Sept-listes-deposees-pour-les-territoriales_a216058.html |title=Sept listes déposées pour les territoriales |publisher=Tahiti Infos |language=fr |date=20 March 2023 |access-date=21 March 2023}} Here Ai'a and Te reo manahune did not submit a list.
| class="wikitable alternance" align="center"
! colspan="2" scope="col" |Party ! scope="col" |Leader ! scope="col" |Ideology |
| bgcolor={{party color|A here ia Porinetia}} |
|Anti-independence, pro-autonomy |
| bgcolor={{party colour|ʻĀmuitahiraʻa o te Nūnaʻa Māʻohi}} |
|ʻĀmuitahiraʻa o te Nūnaʻa Māʻohi |Anti-independence, liberal conservatism, Gaullism, pro-autonomy |
| bgcolor={{party colour|Hau Maohi}} | |
| bgcolor={{party color|Heiura-Les Verts}} |
|Green politics, Polynesian independence |
| bgcolor={{party colour|Ia Ora te Nuna'a}} |
|Anti-independence, pro-autonomy |
| bgcolor={{party colour|Tāvini Huiraʻatira}} |
|Polynesian independence, social democracy |
| bgcolor={{party colour|Tāpura Huiraʻatira}} |
|Anti-independence, liberalism, pro-autonomy |
Results
Turnout in the first round declined, to 60.08%.{{Cite web |title=Final results of the 1st round of the elections of representatives to the Assembly of French Polynesia |url=https://www.polynesie-francaise.pref.gouv.fr/Actions-de-l-Etat/Elections/APF/2023/Resultats-de-l-election/Resultats-definitifs-du-1er-tour-des-elections-des-representants-a-l-Assemblee-de-la-Polynesie-francaise |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=www.polynesie-francaise.pref.gouv.fr}}{{cite web |url=https://www.tahiti-infos.com/La-participation-encore-en-recul_a216591.html |title=La participation encore en recul |publisher=Tahiti Infos |language=fr |date=17 April 2023 |access-date=17 April 2023}} Tāvini Huiraʻatira led in the first round with about 35% of the vote.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/488142/oscar-temaru-s-tavini-huiraatira-party-wins-round-one-of-french-polynesia-s-territorial-elections |title=Oscar Temaru's Tavini Huiraatira party wins round one of French Polynesia's territorial elections |publisher=RNZ |date=18 April 2023 |access-date=18 April 2023}} Following the first round, Heiura-Les Verts and Hau Māʻohi both endorsed the Tāvini.{{cite web |url=https://www.tahiti-infos.com/Heiura-Les-Verts-et-Hau-Ma-ohi-appellent-a-voter-Tavini_a216622.html |title=Heiura-Les Verts et Hau Ma'ohi appellent à voter Tavini |publisher=Tahiti Infos |language=fr |date=17 April 2023 |access-date=19 April 2023}} The ʻĀmuitahiraʻa o te Nūnaʻa Māʻohi merged its list with Tāpura Huiraʻatira, forming a joint Union of Autonomists Against Independence.{{cite web |url=https://www.tahiti-infos.com/La-liste-d-union-entre-Fritch-et-Flosse-deposee_a216646.html |title=La liste "d'union" entre Fritch et Flosse déposée |publisher=Tahiti Infos |language=fr |date=18 April 2023 |access-date=19 April 2023}} A here ia Porinetia announced that its presidential candidate would be Nicole Sanquer rather than Nuihau Laurey.{{cite news |title=French Polynesia's autonomist party names Nicole Sanquer as candidate for presidency |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/488344/french-polynesia-s-autonomist-party-names-nicole-sanquer-as-candidate-for-presidency |access-date=28 April 2023 |work=RNZ |date=20 April 2023 |language=en-nz}}{{cite web |url=https://www.tahiti-infos.com/Nuihau-Laurey-cede-la-candidature-a-la-presidence-a-Nicole-Sanquer_a216645.html |title=Nuihau Laurey cède la candidature à la présidence à Nicole Sanquer |publisher=Tahiti Infos |language=fr |date=18 April 2023 |access-date=19 April 2023}} Ia Ora te Nuna'a called on its voters to vote for either of the autonomist parties in the second round.{{cite web |url=https://www.tahiti-infos.com/%E2%80%8BTeva-Rohfritsch-Il-faut-voter-autonomiste_a216667.html |title=Teva Rohfritsch : "Il faut voter autonomiste" |publisher=Tahiti Infos |language=fr |date=19 April 2023 |access-date=20 April 2023}}
In second round on 30 April 2023 turnout was 69.96%.{{Cite web |title=Final results of the 2nd round of the elections of representatives to the Assembly of French Polynesia |url=https://www.polynesie-francaise.pref.gouv.fr/Actions-de-l-Etat/Elections/APF/2023/Resultats-de-l-election/Resultats-definitifs-du-2nd-tour-des-elections-des-representants-a-l-Assemblee-de-la-Polynesie-francaise |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=www.polynesie-francaise.pref.gouv.fr}} Pro independence party Tavini jumped to 38 seats from 8 seats in previous election. Pro autonomist Tapura got 15 seats, ally Amuitahira got 1 seat and A here ia got 3 seats. Pro independence Tavini got the majority first time in electoral history.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-01 |title=French Polynesia elects pro-independence party |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/french-polynesia-oscar-temaru-france-overseas-territory/ |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-05-02 |title=French Polynesia set for pro-independence president after election |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/489092/french-polynesia-set-for-pro-independence-president-after-election |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}
{{Election results
|image=French Polynesia Assembly 2023
|party1=Tāvini Huiraʻatira|votes1=43401|seats1=38|votes1_2=64551|sc1=+30
|party2=Tāpura Huiraʻatira|votes2=37880|seats2=15|votes2_2=56118|v2span2=2|sc2=–23
|party3=ʻĀmuitahiraʻa o te Nūnaʻa Māʻohi|votes3=14773|seats3=1 |sc3=–10
|party4=A here ia Porinetia|votes4=18067|seats4=3|votes4_2=24989|sc4=New
|party5=Ia Ora te Nuna'a|votes5=5423|seats5=0|r2blockr5=3|r2blockc5=2|sc5=New
|party6=Hau Māʻohi|votes6=2458|seats6=0|sc6=New
|party7=Heiura-Les Verts|votes7=2373|seats7=0|sc7=New
|invalid=748|invalid2=823
|blank=1149|blank2=700
|total_sc=0
|electorate=210161|electorate2=210385
|source=[https://www.polynesie-francaise.pref.gouv.fr/Actions-de-l-Etat/Elections/APF/2023/Resultats-de-l-election Haut-commissaire]; (seats)
}}
Following the election Antony Géros was elected President of the Assembly, with 41 votes in favour and 16 abstentions.{{cite web |url=https://www.radio1.pf/tony-geros-elu-president-de-lassemblee-de-la-polynesie/ |title=Tony Géros élu président de l'assemblée de la Polynésie française |publisher=Radio1 |language=fr |date=11 May 2023 |access-date=12 May 2023}} Moetai Brotherson was elected President of French Polynesia, defeating Édouard Fritch 38 votes to 19.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/489823/moetai-brotherson-has-been-selected-as-the-new-president-of-french-polynesia |title=Moetai Brotherson has been selected as the new President of French Polynesia |publisher=RNZ |date=13 May 2023 |access-date=13 May 2023}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{French Polynesian elections}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:French Polynesian legislative election, 2023}}
Category:2023 elections in Oceania