France’s ruling party to contest Tahiti’s 2018 election

France’s ruling En Marche party has announced that it will contest French Polynesia’s territorial election next year.

The party’s chapter in Tahiti, which is yet to name its candidates, issued a statement to decry the territory’s poverty as it has now engulfed 55 per cent of the population.

In a message to what it calls the 700 most influential personalities of the presidential majority, En Marche also highlights the inequalities. En Marche said there are no redistribution measures while the cost of living is much higher than in France.

It notes that there is no unemployment benefit or the basic support of the RSA scheme. The party said there are serious educational shortcomings, people are in debt and unemployment is above 30 per cent.

And it adds that health statistics show 70 per cent of men and half of the women are overweight, with life expectancy now eight years lower than in France.

En Marche has been critical of the government in Tahiti, denouncing in August its deferral of debate about a reform of the social security system.

It also derided the president of the territorial assembly Marcel Tuihani last month for seeking talks with En Marche top leaders as he is about to form his own party.

The En Marche Party of Emmanuel Macron has no formal ally among French Polynesia’s politicians who have traditionally been allied to established French parties.