French Polynesian TV

by Radio New Zealand International

French Polynesias ruling Union For Democracy has decided to boycott this week’s pre-election television debates.

Early elections for a new 57-member assembly have been ordered by Paris in a bid to increase political stability, with two rounds of voting later this month and in February.

The Union For Democracy says these polls are being organised against the will of a majority of the territorial assembly which voted against the election and its associated reforms.