PAPEETE, French Polynesia, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Oscar Temaru, the former president of French Polynesia who favors independence from France, has started a hunger strike to protest his ouster.
Temaru has accused France of politically maneuvering his replacement by conservative leader Gaston Flosse in a Parliamentary vote, the BBC reported Tuesday.
Flosse is a close ally of French President Jacques Chirac, but the French government has denied any involvement.
Temaru said he and two dozen supporters would continue their hunger strike until "justice is returned to the people.
"In our country today, there are two presidents -- one elected by the people and a self-proclaimed president," he told a news conference.
Parliament approved a censure vote against Temaru Oct. 9 that paved the way to Friday's vote to remove him. Temaru said he would call for new elections "to let the people decide."
