French Polynesia - Government
Based on the etymolgy of French Polynesia, it was the term "Polynesia" is an 18th-century construct composed of two Greek words, "poly" (many) and "nesoi" (islands), and refers to the more than 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. The Government system in this country is the parliamentary democracy (Assembly of French Polynesia); an overseas collectivity of France type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 5 administrative subdivisions (subdivisions administratives, singular - subdivision administrative): Iles Australes (Austral Islands), Iles du Vent (Windward Islands), Iles Marquises (Marquesas Islands), Iles Sous-le-Vent (Leeward Islands), Iles Tuamotu-Gambier; note - the Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands together make up the Society Islands (Iles de la Societe)
National symbols

Outrigger canoe, Tahitian gardenia (Gardenia taitensis) flower; national colors: red, white.

The flag
The National flag of French Polynesia has two red horizontal bands encase a wide white band in a 1:2:1 ratio; centered on the white band is a disk with a blue and white wave pattern depicting the sea on the lower half and a gold and white ray pattern depicting the sun on the upper half; a Polynesian canoe rides on the wave pattern; the canoe has a crew of five represented by five stars that symbolize the five island groups; red and white are traditional Polynesian colors.
The National Anthem
Title "Ia Ora 'O Tahiti Nui" (Long Live Tahiti Nui)
Lyric/music Maeva BOUGES, Irmine TEHEI, Angele TEROROTUA, Johanna NOUVEAU, Patrick AMARU, Louis MAMATUI, and Jean-Pierre CELESTIN (the compositional group created both the lyrics and music)
More about the government of French Polynesia
Date of Independence none (overseas land of France)
National holiday Fête de la Fédération, 14 July (1790); note - the local holiday is Internal Autonomy Day, 29 June (1880)
Legal system the laws of France, where applicable, apply
International law organization participation
Constitution
History 4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
Amendments French constitution amendment procedures apply
Citizenship
Executive Branch
Chief of state President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Eric SPITZ (since 23 September 2022)
Head of government President of French Polynesia Moetai BROTHERSON (since 12 May 2023)
Cabinet Council of Ministers approved by the Assembly from a list of its members submitted by the president
Elections/appointments French president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; French Polynesia president indirectly elected by Assembly of French Polynesia for a 5-year term (no term limits)
Legislative branch
Description Unicameral Assembly of French Polynesia or Assemblée de la Polynésie française (57 seats; members serve 5-year terms)
Elections Assembly of French Polynesia - last held on 16 and 30 April 2023 (next to be held in 2028)

French Senate - last held on 24 September 2023 (next to be held on 30 September 2026)

French National Assembly - last held in 2 rounds on 12 and 19 June 2022 (next to be held in 2027)
Election results Assembly of French Polynesia - percent of vote by party - People's Servant Party 66.7%; List of the People 26.3%, I Love Polynesia 5.3%, Rally of Mahoi People 1.8%; seats by party - People's Servant People 38; List of the People 15, I Love Polynesia 3, Rally of the Mahoi People 1, composition - men 29, women 28, percentage women 49.1%

French Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Popular Rally 1, People's Servant Party 1; composition - NA

French National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - People's Servant Party 3; composition - NA
Judicial branch
Highest court(s) Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel (composition NA); note - appeals beyond the French Polynesia Court of Appeal are heard by the Court of Cassation (in Paris)
Judge selection and term of office Judges assigned from France normally for 3 years
Subordinate courts Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif
Diplomatic representation in the US
Diplomatic representation from the US
Embassy None (overseas lands of France)
National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites 1 (cultural); note - excerpted from the France entry
Selected World Heritage Site locales Taputapuātea
Key Political parties and their leaders in French Polynesia
  • International organization participation
  • ITUC (NGOs)
  • PIF
  • SPC
  • UPU
  • WMO
  • All Important Facts about French Polynesia

    Want to know more about French Polynesia? Check all different factbooks for French Polynesia below.

    French Polynesia is found in Polynesia