Original version

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

Witness History

Podcasts

Factual: History

History as told by the people who were there

History as told by the people who were there.

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

Witness History: How nuclear testing changed politics in French Polynesia

Documentaries

Geros blocks.jpg

15/05/2024 GMT

How nuclear testing changed politics in French Polynesia

BBC World Service - Witness History, How nuclear testing changed politics in French Polynesia

In 2004, protests against nuclear testing saw a change in how French Polynesia was ruled

In May 2004, protests against nuclear testing caused an upset in French Polynesian elections when pro-independence leader Oscar Temaru narrowly took the presidency.

It's 20 years since elections in French Polynesia in 2004, where the independence movement stunned the France-aligned government of the day, propelling pro-independence leader Oscar Temaru to the presidency. 

It was a landmark in the country's politics, where protests against French rule had increased due to the practice of using Polynesian islands for nuclear tests.

Antony Geros, who helped lead the independence movement, recounts that night to Lizzy Kinch. 

This is a Whistledown production for BBC World Service.

(Photo: Antony Geros. Credit: Getty Images)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Witness History

How nuclear testing changed politics in French Polynesia

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

About BBC World Service