Autonomists' comeback

The autonomists in both French Polynesia and New Caledonia (see story on opposite page) are coming back. Their champions have gone back into the National Assembly, reversing the trend which put the anti-autonomists into power in the two Territorial Assemblies.

But it was a near thing in French Polynesia.

Autonomist leader Francis Sanford has squeezed back as Deputy in Paris with more than 48 per cent of the votes in the face of a strong challenge from Gaullist leader Gaston Flosse, President of the newly-elected Territorial Assembly, and labour union leader Charles Taufa.

But Sanford’s victory came only in the second round and all French Polynesia was waiting for him to choose—a return to Paris on less than his own terms, or political oblivion. Last month (PIM, March, p 7) he laid his future on the line. He told PI M’s man, Jim Boyack, that if he was not elected in the first round “it would no longer be necessary that I be in the Territorial Assembly”.

He added that he might even resign from the mayoralty. He also hoped to poll “something in the neighbourhood of 54 per cent” of the votes.

Well, he polled more than 48 per cent, which gave him the victory.

To resign would be to hand French Polynesia on a plate to the Gaullists. With those who think like him winning in New Caledonia, he decided to hold on to what he has got. At any rate, 48 per cent of the people of French Polynesia’s 120 islands put their faith in him. He could hardly hand back his mandate.