Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has confirmed that the Coalition Government will nominate the current President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, for a second term.
The confirmation follows an investigation by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), which cleared Ratu Wiliame of allegations that had prompted Rabuka to withdraw his nomination.
The special parliamentary sitting to formalise the nomination is likely to be held later this month. If reappointed, Ratu Wiliame will become the second Fijian president, under the 2013 Constitution, to serve consecutive terms, following Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konrote.
The nomination hearing was supposed to be held during this week’s parliamentary sitting but was taken off Thursday’s agenda in light of the concerns with the Speaker of Parliament Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu advising Rabuka to address before proceeding with the nomination.
“FICAC has now confirmed that the files regarding the complaints against the President have been closed,” Rabuka said in a statement shared via his personal FB page. “The preliminary investigation sought assistance from the Financial Intelligence Unit regarding financial information on Ratu Wiliame, and the information provided was sufficient to disprove the allegations.”
Opposition Bloc of 9 Leader Iowane Naivalurua had indicated they would support the Government’s nominee, putting Ratu Wiliame, who holds the title Tui Macuata, in a strong position for re-election.
Under Fiji’s 2013 Constitution, specifically Sections 84 and 85, both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition submit presidential candidates, with Parliament voting to confirm the nominee unless both sides agree on a single candidate.
