General elections will be held in Fiji by 2026 to elect members of the eighth Parliament under the 2013 constitution.
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All 55 seats in Parliament 28 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Background
editThe 2022 general elections resulted in a hung parliament. Although FijiFirst emerged as the largest party, a coalition government was formed by the People's Alliance (led by Sitiveni Rabuka) with the National Federation Party and the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA).[1] This coalition has also began somewhat friendly relations with other parties such as the Fiji Labour Party, which signed a memorandum of understanding with the Freedom Alliance and the Unity Party.[2]
Following the coalition's victory, members from all three parties were given ministerial positions in the Cabinet. Due to this, there are three Deputy Prime Ministers; Manoa Kamikamica (People's Alliance), Biman Prasad (NFP) and Bill Gavoka (SODELPA).
On 17 February 2023, Bainimarama was suspended from Parliament for three years after making offensive comments about President Wiliame Katonivere and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, along with making seditious statements in breach of standing orders.[3] On 8 March 2023, he resigned from Parliament and as Opposition Leader, being arrested and charged with breach of office the next day.[4] He was replaced as Opposition Leader by Inia Seruiratu,[5] but remained party leader.[6]
On 7 June 2023, it was revealed that the FijiFirst party would be deregistered if they failed to proceed with submitting their audited accounts to the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) by 15 July 2023. Members of the party would also be unable to attended the next sitting of Parliament if their accounts are not submitted to the FEO by 15 June 2023. If the seats of these members are vacant, a by-election would be held.[7]
On 14 March 2024 the High Court of Fiji convicted Bainimarama of attempting to pervert the course of justice.[8] On 9 May 2024 he was sentenced to one year in prison.[9][10]
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ "Rabuka sworn in as Fiji prime minister after close election". AP NEWS. 24 December 2022. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
- ^ Fijivillage. "FLP, Freedom Alliance and Unity Fiji sign MOU to work together". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ "Bainimarama suspended from parliament for 3 years". Fiji Village. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
- ^ "Fiji's former prime minister Frank Bainimarama charged with abuse of office, to spend the night in custody". ABC News. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
- ^ "Inia Seruiratu To Lead Opposition To 'Keep Government In Check'". Fiji Sun. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
- ^ Kumar, Kreetika (9 May 2024). "Bainimarama remains Party Leader". Fijian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ "It's up to the party | Fijian Elections Office on audited reports". 6 June 2023.
- ^ "Fiji chief justice overturns not guilty verdict in Frank Bainimarama and Sitiveni Qiliho case". RNZ. 14 March 2024. Archived from the original on 14 March 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ "Bainimarama sentenced to 1 year in prison while Qiliho sentenced to 2 years imprisonment". Fiji Village. 9 May 2024. Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ McGuirk, Rod (9 May 2024). "Fiji's ex-leader, Frank Bainimarama, sentenced to prison for interfering in police investigation". Associated Press. Retrieved 9 May 2024.