From 1595 Spanish and English discoverers explore the are that is now French Polynesia. In 1842 chiefs of the Marquesas Islands cede sovereignty to France; other islands are annexed until 1900 as the French Settlements in Oceania. In 1903 the settlements are united into French Ocania.

French Oceania becomes a overseas territory in 1946 and recieves internal self-government in 1956. It is then restyled Territory of French Polynesia. French Polynesia is a parliamentary democracy. Since 1971 the dominant party is the Tahoeraa Huiraatira (Front Populaire), related to the French gaullist movement. Its leader Gaston Flosse is leader of the government since 1982. The party is in opposition between 1986 and 1991, when Alexandre Léontieff of the Te Tiaraama (no translation available, TT) heads the fovernment. Under Gaston Flosse the TH governs the territory since 1991. The main opposition party since 1991 is the Tavini Huiraatira/Front de Libération de la Polynésie (Liberation Front of Polynesia, TH-FLP). In 2004 French Polynesia is granted more autonomy and the status is changed into a French overseas country. At the 2004 elections independentists and autonomists win a majority in parliament.