The Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) is set to hold a Working Group Committee meeting next Tuesday to finalize its candidate for the Presidency of Fiji. This decision aims to prepare the party for the upcoming Special Parliament Sitting later this month, where they will nominate and endorse the next President, following the current President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere’s decision to decline a second term in office.
SODELPA General Secretary Viliame Takayawa explained that the Committee’s outcome will shape the party’s position as the nomination hearing approaches, which is scheduled for October 31. He noted that during the last nomination process, SODELPA did not put forward a candidate and instead backed the appointee of the Prime Minister.
However, the hearing was postponed when Rabuka withdrew his nomination amidst concerns raised by the Speaker regarding some discomfort with the candidates and an investigation into allegations involving the president, leading to the withdrawal.
In this context, the Prime Minister announced intentions to nominate Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, the current Speaker of Parliament, for the presidency. A statement from the Fiji Government indicated that Ratu Wiliame, whose term concludes next month, opted not to seek re-election, opening the way for Ratu Naiqama’s nomination.
Rabuka mentioned that he had consulted with the People’s Alliance Party parliamentary caucus before moving forward with the new nomination, but did not provide similar details regarding involvement from SODELPA or the National Federation Party (NFP).
Fiji’s presidential nomination process is outlined in Sections 84 and 85 of the 2013 Constitution, specifying that when a vacancy arises, both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition must submit a candidate for Parliament to vote upon. If a single individual is nominated by both parties, a vote is unnecessary.
As SODELPA prepares to make its decision next week, responses from NFP MPs remain awaited. Reports suggest that NFP would likely have participated in discussions prior to Rabuka’s announcement, reflecting their previous support for the Prime Minister’s chosen candidate.
Fiji has seen a number of notable presidents in its history, including Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and the late Ratu Josefa Iloiloivatu Uluivuda, as well as Jioji Konrote, who served two consecutive terms under the current Constitution.
Leave a comment