Edouard Fritch

Edouard Fritch (born January 4, 1952 in Papeete, Tahiti) is French Polynesian politician. He has served as the current Speaker of the Assembly of French Polynesia since April 12, 2007. cite news |first=|last=|title=Fritch Re-elected Speaker of French Polynesia's Legislative Assembly |url=http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2008/02/22/fritch-re-elected-speaker-of-french-polynesias-legislative-assembly |work= Ocean Flash |publisher=Pacific Magazine |date=2008-02-22 |accessdate=2008-02-22] Fritch is a member of Tahoeraa Huiraatira, a pro-French political party.

2008 Legislative Election

The French Polynesian legislative election, 2008 took place on January 27, 2008, and February 10, 2008. The pro-French political of former President Gaston Tong Sang, O Porinetia To Tatou Ai'a, secured 27 of the 57 seats in the new French Polynesian Assembly. Fritch's Tahoeraa Huiraatira party won 10 seats.

Negotiations between Fritch and Tong Sang reportedly broke down earlier in the week of February 17. Tong Sang said that he was prepared to offer Fritch's Tahoeraa Huiraatira party the Speaker of the Assemby, as well as 4 of the 15 ministerial posts, should he form a new government. Fritch refused Tong Sang's offer, saying that he wanted no less than five than five ministerial positions.

However, the two sides finally reached an eleventh-hour deal between Tong Sang's O Porinetia To Tatou Ai'a party and the Tahoeraa Huiraatira to form a new pro-French coalition in the Assemby. On Thursday, February 21, 2008, Tong Sang announced that he had offered Fritch's Tahoeraa Huiraatira five ministerial positions, which Fritch had wanted, plus the Speakership of the Assembly and the chairmanships of three parliamentary committees.

Edouard Fritch was re-elected as the Speaker of the Assembly inaugural sitting of the new 2008 legislative assembly following the political deal. Fritch was re-elected with a total of 36 votes while pro-independence candidate Antony Géros came in second with 21 votes. cite news |first=|last=|title=Edouard Fritch re-elected as French Polynesia assembly president |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=38180 |work= Radio New Zealand International |publisher= |date=2008-02-21 |accessdate=2008-02-22] His re-election was broadcast live on French Polynesian television and radio.

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