February 2009 French Polynesian presidential election
An indirect presidential election was held in French Polynesia on 11 February 2009, after defections from the ruling pro-autonomy faction and a scheduled constructive vote of no confidence planned for 12 February 2009 caused the incumbent Gaston Tong Sang to step down on 7 February 2009. This presidential election was the third in less than a year since the 2008 general election, which had been called by France to promote political stability. There were seven changes of government in French Polynesia since the 2004 general election. The President was chosen by members of the Assembly. Election background Six of the members of President Gaston Tong Sang's governing coalition had quit in the months proceeding the 2009 presidential election, leaving his government open to potential challengers. In January 2009, Tong Sang had opened negotiations with Oscar Temaru to try to create a union government and set the stage for new elections. The negotiations failed to produce any tangible results, and were deemed as a failure. President Tong Sang announced on 7 February 2009, that he would step down ahead of a proposed censure motion against his government by a coalition of pro-separatist parties led by Temaru. Tong Sang's resignation, which he