Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has expressed his willingness to lead the People’s Alliance Party (PAP) in the upcoming 2026 General Election, contingent on the party’s agreement. He stated, “I will be available. It depends on the party; if the party wants me to stand, I will.”
Rabuka has been a foundational figure within the PAP since its inception in 2021, significantly contributing to the party’s formation and its eventual success in the December 2022 elections, where they won by a narrow margin. He acknowledged that if the party decides to pursue a different direction without him, he would respect that decision but emphasized his commitment to the party, saying, “I have done everything for the party for these past three years. But I will not desert the party.”
He pointed out the potential challenges of new leadership taking over, noting that the party has established voter support, which may complicate a leadership transition before the next general elections. Rabuka received the highest number of votes for the PAP in the 2022 elections, totaling 77,748, followed by Lynda Tabuya with 11,965 votes, and Charan Jeath Singh with 5,616 votes.
Currently, public sentiment towards the coalition is shifting, with a growing sense of hopelessness. Despite these challenges, Rabuka remains optimistic, believing that there is still potential for the party’s future and for continued support from the electorate.
In summary, while the path forward may be rocky, Rabuka’s readiness to lead again signals a commitment to the party and its members. His history with the PAP and significant voter base provide hope for a robust electoral campaign in 2026, should the party wish to retain his leadership.
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