The Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) has announced plans to hold a Working Group Committee meeting next Tuesday to finalize the party’s nominee for the President of Fiji. This step is aimed at ensuring that SODELPA has a candidate for the upcoming Special Parliament Sitting later this month, which is designated for the nomination and endorsement of Fiji’s next President. The current President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, has opted not to seek a second term.
SODELPA General Secretary Viliame Takayawa indicated that the Committee’s conclusion will shape the party’s position ahead of the nomination hearing, now set for October 31. He noted that in the previous nomination process, SODELPA did not put forward a candidate and instead supported the nomination made by the Prime Minister.
This prior hearing was postponed after Rabuka withdrew his own nomination due to concerns raised by the Speaker of Parliament. Rabuka explained that unease surrounding the nominees and an investigation into allegations against the President led to his decision to withdraw.
During this meeting, the Prime Minister announced an intention to nominate Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, currently serving as Speaker of Parliament, to take on the presidential role. Rabuka stated that Ratu Wiliame, whose term concludes next month, declined to run for a second term, which led to the new nomination of Ratu Naiqama.
The Prime Minister also disclosed that the People’s Alliance Party’s parliamentary caucus was consulted before moving forward with the nomination, yet he did not mention any similar discussions with SODELPA or the National Federation Party (NFP).
Fiji’s presidential nomination process is defined by Sections 84 and 85 of the 2013 Constitution. It outlines that when a vacancy arises, both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition must submit a candidate, with Parliament then voting to confirm the nominee. If the nominees are identical, a vote is unnecessary.
As SODELPA prepares to meet next week, responses from NFP MPs are still forthcoming. It is believed that NFP may have participated in discussions prior to Rabuka’s announcement, mirroring their past support for the Prime Minister’s nominee.
Fiji’s previous presidents have included notable figures such as Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, the late Ratu Josefa Iloiloivatu Uluivuda, and Jioji Konrote, who served two consecutive terms under the 2013 Constitution.