Tahiti Opposition to exclude member over vote

2:30 pm on 25 September 2018

French Polynesia's opposition Tahoeraa Huiraatira Party is today expected to exclude one of its assembly members for failing to follow the party's directive.

The offices of the Tahoeraa Huiraatira party in French Polynesia

Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Walter Zweifel

Angelo Frebault abstained during last week's vote to raise the retirement age while the party had asked its members to oppose it.

A senior party member Teura Iriti has told local television that the directive was clear and consequently Mr Frebault will be excluded from the party's assembly group later today.

The reform to raise the retirement age to 62 was approved by 39 of the assembly's 57 members.

The vote came despite a general strike by five unions which have said they will continue to strike to back other claims.

Mr Frebault joined the Tahoeraa shortly before this year's territorial election after leading a union into a general strike in March to oppose the pension reform.