The separatists have won the bet in Polynesia. The voters have indeed elected three independence candidates supported by the Nupes, including the youngest deputy of the Fifth Republic, during the second round of the legislative elections.
In the three constituencies of this overseas community, a duel opposed an autonomist, supported by the president of the local government Edouard Fritch and by Together!, to a separatist supported by Nupes.
Tematai Le Gayic, youngest deputy of the Fifth Republic
In the first, Nicole Bouteau, well ahead in the first round, was beaten (49.12%) by a young 21-year-old separatist, Tematai Le Gayic (50.88%), who became the youngest elected in history. of the Fifth Republic to the National Assembly, beating the record held by Marion Maréchal, elected deputy at the age of 22 in 2012.
In the second constituency, Steve Chailloux (58.89%), a young separatist Tahitian teacher wins against Tepuaraurii Teriitahi (41.11%), the group president of his autonomist party in the Assembly of French Polynesia . On the other hand, the victory of outgoing MP Moetai Brotherson (61.32%) was more expected in the third constituency: he beat Tuterai Tumahai (38.68%) an autonomist novice in politics who had surprised by expressing several times during the campaigns for his adherence to the ideas of his adversary.
A one-year test of the Territoriales
National political labels have little influence on Polynesian voters who position themselves mainly according to the instructions of local parties. The independence party also owes its victory to an opposition front against the local majority.
This is the first time that this party has managed to elect more than one deputy, and the first time that it has won an election without an alliance. One year from the Territoriales, the most important elections in French Polynesia, it is also a warning to the majority party and to the government of Edouard Fritch, put in difficulty by the economic crisis following the epidemic of Covid-19.