Rabuka becomes Prime Minister again, sending Bainimarama to the opposition
Venkat Raman
Auckland, December 20, 2022
Fijians voted for a hung Parliament at the third democratic election held in the South Pacific country on December 14, 2022, but the resultant coalition government has not been good news for Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama and his outgoing FijiFirst government.
With just three seats in the new Parliament, the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) became the kingmaker as neither FijiFirst nor the People’s Alliance Party and its ally the National Federation Party secured the requisite majority to form the government.
FijiFirst secured the largest number of seats (26) with 200,000 votes, while the People’s Alliance Party, led by Sitiveni Rabuka won 21 seats, the National Federation Party earned five seats (improving its record by two seats) and SODELPA three seats.
Fiji has a single constituency system and hence all eligible voters in the country have the opportunity of a say in the polity.
The SODELPA enigma
There was increasing speculation in Fiji’s political and social circles that SODELPA may join hands with FijiFirst given that the latter’s General Secretary Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has strong family connections with its leadership.
However, Radio New Zealand Pacific reported having seen a letter which contained ‘strong opposition’ from the Youth Council of SODELPA for any partnership with Fiji First.
“The Youth Council has expressed its ‘distaste’ to the Party’s main decision-making board for ‘agreeing to consider’ Mr Bainimarama’s FijiFirst as a potential partner. We beg the executives to consider wisely and inclusively the Party’s move. The people are our source of strength and therefore their voice is what we shall recognise,” it said.
Not that SODELPA saw any comfort with the People’s Alliance Party, more notably its Leader Rabuka, who has been accused of deserting it at the wrong time.
There is no doubt that SODELPA Leader Viliame Gavoka had a tough time.
On the one hand, his Party’s alliance with FijiFirst would have been simpler because it would have been a single-party agreement. Dealing with the People’s Alliance Party would have necessarily meant a pact with the National Federation Party since the two entities have a pre-election agreement to form a coalition government.
On the other hand, going into partnership with FijiFirst would have further ruptured SODELPA and Mr Gavoka, who may be forced to quit his post because in the tradition of Fijian politics, as a leader who failed to get a majority, his hand may be forced.
People’s Alliance HQ. Jubilant scenes in Suva. #FijiVotes2022 pic.twitter.com/szWwWo1CJz
— Kelvin Anthony (@kelvinfiji) December 20, 2022
Youth Council’s demands
Besides, his Party’s Youth Council had declared that even considering a proposal from FijiFirst “shows the desperation and compromised approach that the Party is willing to take to form a government. Although SODELPA may have differences with Mr Rabuka, he may be the only option that we can take to work with and put an end to 16 years of dictatorial leadership.”
While Rabuka has been declared Prime Minister, several other imponderables must be considered before the next government is formed.
Firstly, one of the earliest demands that SODELPA made to FijiFirst was that all its three MPs must be given ministerial portfolios, with one of them appointed Deputy Prime Minister.
Secondly, the reinstatement of the Great Council of Chiefs, abolished by Mr Bainimarama soon after he came to power by staging a military coup on December 5, 2006, is seen as a difficult decision to take.
Among the other conditions are open contracts for civil servants instead of the current fixed term, raising the retirement age from 55 to 60 years, allocation of F$ 159 million for the iTaukei (Indigenous) Ministry, cancellation of laws considered discriminatory and establishment of a diplomatic mission in Jerusalem.
SODELPA has also asked that the Tertiary Education Policy of FijiFirst be scrapped.
Golden opportunity for Rabuka
Mr Rabuka can see the coalition government as a golden opportunity to cement relations with his erstwhile Party and look for good governance with the National Federation Party, and more so with well-known academic Professor Biman Prasad.
The National Federation Party is Fiji’s oldest political entity and yet in its 54-year history, it has faced several challenges including a dearth of membership about 20 years ago. It has held on its own, and its five seats won in last week’s elections are seen as impressive, from three seats in the previous two elections.
However, the dominant role of SODELPA may somewhat relegate Professor Prasad, who was earlier touted as the ‘ideal Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister.’ Considering the demand for three ministerial posts demanded by the kingmaker Party, he may be a ‘lesser minister’ of the incoming government but his influence in the future of Fiji should not be underestimated.
The fact that Mr Rabuka also has political ambitions should not be overlooked. After all, as a seasoned politician who has been the Prime Minister earlier, he knows the art of public administration. He has also been the Chief of the Great Council of Chiefs and Leader of the Opposition. Although not new or averse to controversies, many have said that he is a ‘good alternative’ to Mr Bainimarama.
The new coalition government has elected him as the Prime Minister and will be confirmed as the country’s third Parliament since 2014 meets tomorrow (Wednesday).
There were jubilant scenes in the country’s Capital Suva and other centres today.
But the political drama has not ended in Fiji.
At the time of filing this report, Mr Bainimarama had not spoken about the new coalition government.
