French Polynesia is an autonomous territory governed by a Territorial Assembly made up of 34 elected members. They in turn elect a 10 member counsel of ministers and a President of French Polynesia. All the Assembly members as well as the ministers and the President are Tahitians.

French Polynesia has its own laws, flag and currency, as well as represents itself in some areas of foreign affairs.

The French government is only involved in providing judges, defense and secondary education. It also gives heavy financial subsidies to support the local economy.

The Islands have the statute of Overseas French Territory, somewhat like Guam or Puerto Rico in the USA, except that Polynesians have full French nationality and vote in French Nationale Elections.

French Polynesians are free to vote themselves into full independence at any time, but aside from a small minority (10%) they are rather satisfied with being French and Tahitian.

The current President is Oscar Temanu who was first elected in 2004.