Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: One Israeli soldier killed in a "security incident" in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Israeli media: Intense exchange of fire in Khan Younis
Israeli media platform reports on a tough incident in Gaza still under media censorship
Iran's judiciary says 71 killed in Israeli strike on Evin Prison
Trump: Make the deal, get the hostages back
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 67 Palestinians were martyred in 24 hours in the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip
Israeli media: For the first time, Prime Minister Netanyahu is signaling that he wants to end the war on Gaza
Israeli Channel 12, citing an American source: We want to have entered a path toward captive release and a ceasefire before Netanyahu arrives in Washington
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One martyr and two injured in the Israeli airstrike that targeted a motorcycle in the town of Mahrouna
Al Mayadeen correspondent to Southern Lebanon: An Israeli drone strike targeted a vehicle between the towns of Jwayya and Mahrouna.

French Polynesia chooses pro-independence leader

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 13 May 2023 09:55
  • 1 Shares
2 Min Read

On Friday, Moetai Brotherson was chosen president of France's Pacific region of French Polynesia.

  • x
  • French Polynesia chooses pro-independence leader
     Moetai Brotherson was elected on May 12, 2023. (AFP)

Moetai Brotherson, a supporter of independence from France, was elected president of France's Pacific region of French Polynesia on Friday.

At the beginning of the month, pro-independence forces won elections in French Polynesia, which means they will have control of affairs on the archipelagos for the upcoming five years, paving the way to a possible referendum on their status.

Brotherson received 38 votes in the territory's 57-seat parliament, while outgoing leader Edouard Fritch, who supports autonomy within the French Republic, received 16 votes. 

The results of last month's election would allow pro-independence parties to press French authorities to hold a referendum on the status of the territory, which is located northeast of New Zealand and has a population of around 280,000 people. 

Gerald Darmanin, the French Interior Minister in charge of the overseas territories, has recognized that Polynesians "voted for change." 

The outcome is a setback for President Emmanuel Macron's administration, which wants to portray France as a major player in the Pacific region because of its strategically important overseas territories. 

Related News

Corsican Assembly recognizes Palestine, condemns Israeli genocide

Le Pen urges French right-wing to be ready for possible snap elections

Brotherson promised France his "respect" in a speech made without notes upon his election, while urging the populace not to "fear independence," which will "never be imposed" on Polynesians. 

The President-elect expressed hopes of a referendum on self-determination in "10 to 15 years."

However, the current head of the French Polynesian legislature, Antony Geros, is more eager to achieve independence. 

In his inauguration address, he said that France had "used its authority to make and unmake majorities according to its own interests, to the point of instrumentalizing the elected representatives". 

Despite the fact that French Polynesia is on the UN list of non-self-governing territories, making it eligible for a UN-backed referendum for independence, France has consistently refused to hold a referendum on the territory, which comprises Tahiti and Bora-Bora. 

French Polynesia's status has never been put to a vote in France. In New Caledonia, its other significant Pacific colony, referenda on independence have frequently been rejected.

Read next: US army interfering in Eastern Europe, Indo-Pacific

  • France
  • French Polynesia

Most Read

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Iran declares victory as ceasefire forces Israeli retreat

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Iran launches strikes on Israeli targets, despite alleged ceasefire

Iran victorious as ceasefire with 'Israel' takes effect

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
The site of a direct missile strike launched from Iran in Tel Aviv on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Op. True Promise 3, wave 21: Multi-warhead missiles rain on 'Israel'

  • Politics
  • 23 Jun 2025
Iran says targeted US Qatar air base under Op. Annunciation of Victory

Iran says targeted US Qatar air base under Op. Annunciation of Victory

  • MENA
  • 23 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli media: Iran struck sensitive bases; only a fraction revealed
Politics

Only a fraction of Iranian missiles impact revealed: Israeli media

Pro-Palestinian protest in Sydney ends in crackdown, serious injury
Politics

Pro-Palestine Sydney protest ends in violent crackdown, serious injury

Israeli soldiers
Palestine

IOF soldiers blame army for negligence after deadly Khan Younis ambush

Corsican Assembly recognizes Palestine, condemns Israeli genocide
Politics

Corsican Assembly recognizes Palestine, condemns Israeli genocide

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS