Tahiti’s ‘old lion’ Gaston Flosse, 93, steps down after 52 years in politics

Date:

Share post:

By Patrick Decloitre

French Polynesia’s veteran politician, 93-year-old Gaston Flosse, announced last week he is stepping down from his position as president of his Amuitahiraa o te Nunaa Maohi party.

Flosse, known locally as “the old lion”, has been President of French Polynesia on several occasions over a span of more than 30 years.

Once known as the strongman of the French Pacific territory, he was also a member of the French government with the portfolio of Minister of State in charge of overseas territories, during the second half of the 1980s under then Prime Minister Jacques Chirac.

Tahiti's veteran politician Gaston Flosse (left) with Bruno Sandras, vice-president of the Amuitahiraa o te Nunaa Maohi party
Tahiti’s veteran politician Gaston Flosse (left) with Bruno Sandras, vice-president of the Amuitahiraa o te Nunaa Maohi party . . . his doctor “tells me I must stop completely”. Image: Polynésie la 1ere TV/screenshot APR

He was also the President of French Polynesia when, once elected President, Chirac resumed nuclear testing at the atolls of Moruroa and Fangataufa (until 1996).

The resumption triggered riots at the time in the capital Pape’ete.

With his party, then known as the Tahuiraa Huiraatia, he was a strong advocate of French Polynesia remaining a part of France, under an “autonomy” status, but over the past few years became in favour of France obtaining a new status in “association” with France.

Flosse said he was stepping down for health reasons, but he still believes he is fit to keep contributing to his party.

“Now health is the priority. The doctor had already told me to stop at least 4 days a week, now he tells me I must stop completely,” he told journalists.

“But apart from that, I feel very good, physically and intellectually.”

The date of September 28 has been earmarked for the election of a new party president. One of the candidates is his wife, Pascale Haiti-Flosse.

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ Pacific and Asia Pacific Report.

"Papa Flosse's iron grip" in Tahiti
“Papa Flosse’s iron grip” in Tahiti . . . cover story in April 1986. Image: David Robie/Islands Business
Cafe Pacific Publisher
Cafe Pacific Publisher
Café Pacific's duty editor.
- advertisement -

Related articles

From Kanaky to Palestine, how Paris is weaponising deportations from Pacific

In the West Bank, one in three Palestinians has experienced one or more incarcerations during their life since...

A role for Pacific media in charting a pragmatic global outlook

ANALYSIS: By Shailendra Bahadur Singh and Amit Sarwal in Suva Given the intensifying situation, journalists, academics and experts joined...

Amid decline in mainstream media trust, Pacific Journalism Review remains a beacon

Professor Vijay Naidu’s speech celebrating the launch of the 30th anniversary edition of Pacific Journalism Review at the...

PANG talks to journalist David Robie on Pacific decolonisation issues

PANG Media The PANG media team at this month’s Pacific International Media Conference in Fiji caught up with independent...