Photo: RNZ
French Polynesia's once dominant Tahoeraa Huiraatira Party says Rodolphe Jordan has returned to its side in the assembly.
Mr Jordan had switched to the Tapura Huiraatira group, which has almost all government portfolios.
But after a couple of days, he decided to return to the Tahoeraa camp, quashing hopes of the president, Edouard Fritch, that he could secure enough support to pass the budget.
With Mr Jordan's vote, the ruling government would have been just one member short of a majority.
Mr Fritch has said if he fails to secure a majority to pass the budget he would consider his work done and possibly have the government quit and the assembly dissolved.
