Sovereignty Debates: Multiple Futures

French Polynesia's political future generates passionate debate. UN reinscription on the decolonization list (2013) intensified discussions.

Three main visions compete:

Enhanced Autonomy: Maximum self-governance within French sovereignty. "We can have cake and eat it," argues President Fritch. "French resources, Polynesian control."

Free Association: Independence with treaty-defined French partnership. "Cook Islands model shows possibilities," proposes Antony Géros. "Sovereign but supported."

Full Independence: Complete sovereignty as Pacific nation. "Every people deserves self-determination," insists Oscar Temaru. "Fear shouldn't prevent freedom."

Public opinion fluctuates. Economic concerns often override sovereignty desires. "Independence sounds good until pension checks stop," admits pensioner Tihoni Tefaatau. "Principles meet reality."

Younger generations show more openness to independence. "We never knew nuclear-era prosperity," notes activist Vaiata Cross. "Less to lose, more to gain from sovereignty."

Regional integration offers alternatives. "Pacific regionalism could cushion independence," suggests diplomat Namira Pateau. "Strength through cooperation."