French Polynesia: Developments in former president Flosse's corruption cases - timeline
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Timeline
- January 2010. French President Nicolas Sarkozy announces that new electoral reforms will be introduced to counter the chronic political instability in French Polynesia.
- November 2009. The government of President Oscar Temaru is brought down by a no confidence vote. Tong Sang is elected president and appoints the ninth government since 2004.
- October 2009. Former president Gaston Flosse is investigated in France for corruption over the "sushi case" of misuse of public funds and fraud at the Papeete (the capital) telecommunications office.
- July 2009. The French Senate partially suspends Flosse's parliamentary immunity to aid a police investigation into alleged "massive" fraud at the Papeete telecommunications office.
- February 2009. President Tong Sang resigns to pre-empt a no confidence vote. Temaru returns to the presidency.
- April 2008. Tong Sang is re-elected president when the government of Flosse falls after just 52 days. This marks the sixth time the presidency has changed hands since 2004.
- February 2008. Flosse is elected president after concluding a deal with his long-time rival Temaru..
- September 2007. Tong Sang is ousted as president by a no confidence vote in the Legislative Assembly. A new electoral system for the 2009 general elections is announced with the aim of increasing political stability.
- April 2007.The Principle of Democracy (Te Niu Hau Manahune—TNHM) party is founded to represent the interests of French Polynesia's smaller islands.
- December 2006. The government of pro-independence president Temaru is ousted by a censure vote, the third such vote in two years. The pro-autonomy leader Tong Sang is elected to replace him.
- February 2006. Emile Vernaudon is convicted of using state labour and finance to carry out home improvements and repairs for himself, his family, and his friends. He was convicted on similar charges in 2004.
- January 2006. A report by the Legislative Assembly concludes that the residents of Tahiti had suffered increased rates of cancer as a result of French atmospheric nuclear tests carried out between 1966 and 1974.
- March 2005. Temaru is re-elected as president by the Legislative assembly by 29 votes to 26.
- February 2005. By-elections for 37 of the 57 seats in the Legislative Assembly leave Temaru 's pro-independence party, and Flosse's pro-France party with equal representation on 27 seats each.
- November 2004. Talks in Paris between Temaru and Flosse fail to resolve French Polynesia's political crisis. Within the country, calls for a fresh election grow.
- October 2004. A political crisis erupts in French Polynesia when President Temaru loses a motion of censure in the Legislative Assembly following the defection of one of his supporters to the opposition. Temaru challenges the legitimacy of the censure motion while Flosse appoints a parallel cabinet.
- September 2004. Development minister and mayor of Mahina commune Emile Vernaudon is given a 12 month suspended sentence and fined for using public money and labour to build houses for himself, his brother, his concubine and his assistant mayor.
- June 2004. Temaru is elected President after incumbent president Gaston Flosse withdraws from the contest. Temaru pledges to negotiate with France to secure independence within 20 years.
- May 2004. President Flosse's TahoeraaHuiraatira/Rassemblement Pour la République (RPR) party loses its majority in the Territorial Assembly, winning slightly fewer votes but one more seat than the pro-independence Union for Democracy (UPD).
- April 2004. The Territorial Assembly is dissolved, paving the way for elections to an enlarged Assembly, the first under the new autonomy statute.
- February 2004. The French Constitutional Council passes the Autonomy Act for French Polynesia after annulling five major parts as unconstitutional. French Polynesia becomes an overseas country rather than an overseas territory.
- March 2003. Amendments to the French Constitution signal increased autonomy for French Polynesia.
- November 2002. The Paris Court of Appeal finds that Flosse should be pardoned for his Nov 1999 corruption conviction.
- May 2001. The THP party of President Flosse increases its majority in the Territorial Assembly. The main pro-independence party also made gains while the leading pro-autonomy party lost all its seats.
- December 2000. A strike by public and private sector workers in support of a 3 per cent pay increase paralyses Papeete.
- November 1999. A French court finds President Gaston Flosse guilty of corruption for accepting bribes from the operators of an illegal casino, money he used to fund his political party. The court hands down a two-year suspended prison sentence, a large fine and a one year ban on running for office.
- May 1999. The French Independent Research and Information Commission claims that radiation has leaked into the waters surrounding French Polynesia as a result of recent nuclear tests.
- May 1998. The ruling THP/Rassemblement pour la Répubique (RPR) of President Flosse increases its majority in the Territorial Assembly after multiple by-elections.
- May 1996. Flosse is re-elected as President of the Territorial Assembly after his supporters gain a majority in legislative elections.
- November 1995. The Territorial Assembly approves a bill to give French Polynesia greater autonomy.
- October 1995. France deploys troops on Tahiti to prevent protests against its ongoing nuclear tests. The South Pacific Forum suspends links with France in protest against the tests.
- September 1995. Violent riots break out in Tahiti after police break up a protest against the French nuclear tests. France despatches soldiers and paramilitaries to quell the riots after French government buildings are burnt.
- September 1995. The first of a planned series of eight nuclear tests is carried out by France is greeted by near-worldwide condemnation.
- August 1995. A protest against resumed nuclear testing is held in Papeete. International opposition intensifies while the French navy rams and boards the Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior II.
- June 1995. France's decision to resume nuclear testing in French Polynesia is condemned by the South Pacific Forum.
- July 1991. Flosse steps down after riots over the imposition of new taxes ordered by France. Vice President Michel Buillard assumes his duties.
- March 1988.The government collapses after trying to break a dockworkers' strike and imposing a state of emergency on Tahiti.
- March 1987. Territorial Assembly elections are called two years early at the request of Assembly President M. Gaston Flosse of the Popular Union Party (PUP). Despite being attacked for corruption the PUP gains a majority of seats.
- July 1985. Pro-independence demonstrations take place in French Polynesia, inspired by events in New Caledonia.
- December 1984. Pro-France parties win elections to the Territorial Assembly.
- December 1983. A meeting of the South Pacific Forum reaffirms the group's opposition to the ongoing nuclear tests in French Polynesia.
- September 1983. Draft autonomy statutes for French Polynesia are published.
- May 1982. Territorial Assembly elections produce a win for parties favouring close ties with France.
- June 1981. The trial opens in Papeete of seven pro-independence militants accused of murdering a French company director.
- July 1977. The pro-autonomy Front uni pour l'autonomie interne (FUAI) wins the most seats in elections to the Territorial Assembly but falls short of a majority.
- October 1976. The pro-autonomy factions of the Territorial Assembly gain a majority after defections by opposing legislators. The new pro-autonomy majority rejects French plans for limited internal autonomy for the islands.
- March 1975. At talks in Paris the leader of the Territorial Assembly reaches an agreement in principle for greater autonomy.
- September 1973. France completes its 1973 nuclear test series against a background of international condemnation.
- December 1972. Pro-autonomy parties, which had campaigned against French nuclear testing, are defeated in Territorial Assembly elections.
- October 1971. France conducts a series of nuclear tests in French Polynesia, detonating four fission bombs and one hydrogen bomb.
- January 1969. New nuclear tests are carried out by France despite protests from the Territorial Assembly and Pacific nations.
- July 1966. France inaugurates its new nuclear test facility in French Polynesia by detonating two nuclear weapons.
- 1946. French Polynesia becomes an overseas territory rather than a colony and French Polynesians are granted French citizenship.
- 1940. The administration of French Polynesia sides with the Free French against the Vichy French.
- 1880. France annexes Tahiti, changing its status from protectorate to colony.
- 1842. Tahiti and Tahuata are declared a French protectorate and French Catholic missionaries establish themselves on the islands.
- 1812. King Pomare II and his subjects are converted to Protestant Christianity.
- 1797. British Protestant missionaries establish a permanent settlement on Tahiti.
- 1774. Spanish Catholic missionaries spend a year on Tahiti.
- 1521. The first European contact with what is to become French Polynesia comes when Ferdinand Magellan sights Pukapuka in the Tuamotu Archipelago.
