“The Polynesian population is not at all ready for independence”
INTERVIEW – Polynesians are called to the polls this Sunday, April 30 to elect their…
“The Polynesian population is not at all ready for independence”
INTERVIEW – Polynesians are called to the polls this Sunday, April 30 to elect their 57 representatives, as part of the second round of territorial elections. In the first round, the independence list Tavini came out on top with 34.9% of the vote. Political scientist Sémir Al Wardi sheds light on the issues of this election.
Sémir Al Wardi is a political scientist and lecturer in political science at the University of French Polynesia.
LE FIGARO. – Territorial elections in French Polynesia have a particular operation. How are they going?
Semir Al Wari. – It is a special voting method reminiscent of that of the regional elections in a city. There is a single constituency over the entire territory. Voters vote for representatives who then elect the Speaker of the ***embly. These same representatives also vote for the President of Polynesia, who is himself a member of the ***embly. To remain in the second round, a list must obtain 12.5% of the votes cast. The lists having obtained between 5 and 12.4% of the votes can also be invited to form a coalition with those having qualified.
The majority bonus is essential in this voting method. Concretely, if a list comes first in the second round, even by one vote, it…
