The Fetia Api or Nouvelle Étoile (English: New Star) was a centre-right political party in French Polynesia from 1996 to 2016, advocating for the autonomy of French Polynesia. The party was led by Boris Léontieff, former mayor of Arue since 1989, and then subsequently led by Philip Schyle after 2002.
The party was once one of the oldest in French Polynesia, spanning over 20 years. Originally the party was first associated with the french Union for French Democracy (UDF) party, but in 2007 it was part of dissidents who split away from the UDF and created the New Centre (NC). Philip Schyle was elected the Foreign Minister for the NC, and Fetia Api helped with public financial contributions.[1][2][3]
In 2016, the party was dissolved, with the members becoming part of the newly formed Tapura Huiraatira (TAPURA) party.
History
edit1996 Election
editIn the Territorial elections of 1996 in French Polynesia, Boris Léontieff was elected to French Polynesian Assembly as an independent.[4]
2001 Elections
editIn the 2001 Territorial elections, 7 members were elected.[3][5]
| Candidate Name | Constituency |
|---|---|
| Boris Léontieff | Windward Islands |
| Thilda Fuller | |
| Antonio Perez | |
| Arsen Tuairau | |
| Marie-Laure Vanizette | |
| Pierre Amiot | Leeward Islands |
| Lucien Kimitete ( Te Henua Enana Kotoa ) | Marquesas Islands |
2002 Plane crash
editOn 24 May 2002 a light plane carrying party leader Boris Léontieff, officials of Lucien Kimitete and Arsen Tuairau, and substitute candidate Ferfine Besseyre, disappeared on a flight to Makemo in the Tuamotus.[3][6] The French colonial government refused to delay the elections.[7]
2003 President
editPhilip Schyle is elected as the President of the Fetia Api party.[3]
2004 Election
editAt the 2004 election the party contested with its own list winning one seat on Windward Islands, electing Philip Schyle.[8][9] The party was also part of the Tapura Amui No Te Faatereraa Manahune – Tuhaa Pae coalition during this election for the seats on the Austral Islands, as well as part of the Tapura Amui no Raromatai coalition for the Leeward Islands.[3] For the Leeward islands, the party's Patricia Jennings-Pahio was elected.
Following the 2004 elections, the party held the balance of power,[10] and sided with pro-independence leader Oscar Temaru.[11] In the 10 member government, two Fetia Api members were elected. They were Marie-Laure Vanizette and Francis Stein.[3]
Antonio Perez dissidents to create the rival Te Avei'a party.[3]
2005 Partial Election
editFollowing the collapse of Temaru's government, the party united with Nicole Bouteau to contest the 2005 Partial French Polynesian Election as the Alliance for a New Democracy (ADN), with party president Philip Schyle re-elected in the constituency of the Windward Islands.[3][12][13] The party did not join the subsequent Temaru government.[14]
2006 and After
editIn 2006 the party's leader Philip Schyle elected President of the Assembly of French Polynesia with the surprise support of Tahoeraa by 29 votes against 28 for outgoing President Tony Geros (UPLD - Tavini).[3][15] He was elected for a second term in 2009.[16]
In 2007 the party leader Philip Schyle was assigned as Foreign Minister for the french party New Centre (NC).[1][2][3]
In the 2008 election the party ran on a common list with O Porinetia To Tatou Ai'a and other small autonomist parties called "To Tātou ‘Ai‘a" (Homeland for us all).[17]
In 2012, Philip Schyle and so the Fetia Api party become members of the short lived Rassemblement pour une Alternative Progressiste (RAP) coalition.[3]
In 2016, the party was dissolved, with the members becoming part of the newly formed Tapura Huiraatira (TAPURA) party.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b "French Polynesia's Schyle gets French party role". RNZ. 19 May 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ a b "Union pour la Démocratie (UPLD) — France Politique". www.france-politique.fr. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Fetia Api — France Politique". www.france-politique.fr. Archived from the original on 8 October 2021. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
- ^ Von Strokirch, Karin (1997). "French Polynesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 1995 to 30 June 1996". The Contemporary Pacific. 9 (1): 227–233. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ Von Strokirch, Karin (2002). "French Polynesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001". The Contemporary Pacific. 14 (1): 213–219. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ "Light plane carrying five disappears in Tuamotu in French Polynesia". RNZ. 24 May 2002. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ "French Polynesia election to go ahead despite candidates missing in possible crash". RNZ. 30 May 2002. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ "French Polynesia's Fetia Api on own electoral list". RNZ. 9 April 2004. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ "Ruling French Polynesia Party has lost its absolute majority in assembly elections". RNZ. 25 May 2004. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ "Fetia Api holds balance of power after French Polynesia poll". RNZ. 25 May 2004. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ "HISTORIC WIN FOR OPPOSITION IN FRENCH POLYNESIA". Pacific Islands Report. 4 June 2004. Archived from the original on 4 September 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
- ^ "SEVEN PARTIES CROWD RACE FOR TAHITI ASSEMBLY". Pacific Islands Report. 12 January 2005. Archived from the original on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
- ^ "ALTERNATIVE PARTY WAITS ON TAHITI CHESS BOARD". Pacific Islands Report. 3 February 2005. Archived from the original on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
- ^ "Oscar Temaru names 16 ministers in new French Polynesian government". RNZ. 8 March 2005. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ "French Polynesian Assembly elects new Assembly President". RNZ. 14 April 2006. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ "FLOSSE ALLY OUT AS FRENCH POLYNESIA SPEAKER". Pacific Islands Report. 13 April 2009. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
- ^ Gonschor, Lorenz (2009). "French Polynesia in Review: Issues and Events, I July 2007 to 30 June 2008". The Contemporary Pacific. 21 (1): 154. Retrieved 6 December 2022.