Fiji has a new coalition government; Rabuka to be PM

Sodelpa General Secretary Lenaitasi Duru (centre) announces Sodelpa's choice of coalition partner in Suva. Photo / Kelvin Anthony, RNZ Pacific

By RNZ

There are jubilant scenes in Suva tonight as the kingmaker in Fiji’s general election, the Social Democratic Liberal Party (Sodelpa) declared that it is partnering with the People’s Alliance (PA) and the National Federation Party (NFP) to form a new coalition government to end FijiFirst’s eight-year reign.

The decision was made in a secret ballot by Sodelpa’s 30-member management board - 16 voted in favour of the PA-NFP alliance and 14 for FijiFirst - after three days of negotiations.

The result marks the end of an era - 16 years of political dominance by the coup leader turned prime minister Frank Bainimarama.

People’s Alliance HQ. Jubilant scenes in Suva. #FijiVotes2022 pic.twitter.com/szWwWo1CJz

— Kelvin Anthony (@kelvinfiji) December 20, 2022

Sodelpa’s chief negotiator, Anare Jale, said their decision to side with PA-NFP had not been taken lightly and they had given full consideration to the offers from all parties.

“It has taken days to decide on the way forward for the party.

“Especially the choice of the partner for whom we are going to form a coalition with to form government.”

Sodelpa’s kingmaker position came about after a contentious national election count which saw PA leader Sitiveni Rabuka calling into question the integrity of the electoral system.

But now in the driving seat Rabuka said it’s water under the bridge.

“We thank the Electoral Commission, although we have some difficulties with them in the beginning ... But now let it roll over. I’m sure we can all turn our back on that and work together.”

Since the election results were released on Sunday Sodelpa’s management board has been going back and forth between the negotiating teams for the two prospective coalition partnerships.

This came to a head Tuesday afternoon with back-to-back presentations from the two camps before the secret ballot was taken.

Rabuka to be prime minister

The new coalition has selected the People’s Alliance Party leader, Sitiveni Rabuka, to be its prime minister.

He will be elected during the first sitting of the new parliament tomorrow.

This was confirmed by the National Federation Party leader, Biman Prasad, shortly after Sodelpa’s management board announced its chosen coalition partner this afternoon in Suva.

“Official communication will be with sent to his Excellency the President, confirming that the PA-NFP-Sodelpa government is ready to lead under the new prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka,” Biman Prasad said.

The coalition leaders said they were pleased to be able to give the people of Fiji this early Christmas present - a strong and united coalition government.

For Fiji ever Fiji ❤️ 🇫🇯🥹 pic.twitter.com/MRMdDVqD5d

— Simran-Erica Jahan Ali ⚕ (@hockeyloversim) December 20, 2022

Rabuka acknowledged the tough election race run by FijiFirst.

“I thank the outgoing government and the Prime Minister Mr Frank Bainimarama and his FijiFirst party,” he said.

“The people have spoken people have chosen in a new way, a new path, and a new government.”

“We promise the people of Fiji that a new era will be starting as the new government takes on the power of this country.”

Rabuka was prime minister of Fiji from 1992 to 1999.

The ousted former prime minister Frank Bainimarama has yet to concede the elections - RNZ Pacific has contacted his FijiFirst party for comments.