French Polynesia is a parliamentary democracy that is under the authority of the 1958 French Constitution. The unicameral legislature is made up of 57 elected representatives who serve five year terms. Three senators are elected from the legislature, one represent the region in the French National Assembly and the other in the French Senate. The Parliament has the power to manage its economic zone, relationships with the Pacific region and logistical matters, such as transport, post and telecommunications.

All adult French Polynesians entitled to vote in general elections, which have been quite frequent since 2004, with seven different governments in that period.