The Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA), a member of the three-way Fiji Coalition Government, will meet next week to discuss the recent developments regarding the presidential nomination.
The discussion follows a statement from Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, announcing a change in the presidential nominee from Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, the current President, to Speaker and Tui Cakau, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu.
In the statement posted by the Fiji Government, Rabuka stated that Ratu Wiliame, whose term expires next month, declined a second term, prompting the nomination of Ratu Naiqama. According to Rabuka, the People’s Alliance Party parliamentary caucus had been consulted before proceeding with this new nomination, but no reference was made regarding SODELPA or the National Federation Party (NFP).
Viliame Takayawa, SODELPA’s General Secretary, confirmed that the party is yet to formalise a position on the matter and will convene its Working Committee next Tuesday. The committee’s decision will guide SODELPA’s stance leading up to the nomination hearing, now scheduled for October 31.
“We did not nominate anyone last time; we supported the Prime Minister’s appointee,” said Takayawa referring to a similar process the party followed in the lead-up to the initial nomination hearing that was supposed to be held during the October 3 parliamentary sitting. The hearing was deferred after Rabuka withdrew his nomination following concerns raised by the Speaker. Rabuka stated that some discomfort with the nominees and an investigation into allegations against the president prompted this withdrawal. However, the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) later cleared Ratu Wiliame of any wrongdoing, closing the investigation files after reviewing financial intelligence.
While SODELPA will deliberate next week, comments from NFP MPs are still pending.
Fiji’s nomination process for the presidency is governed by Sections 84 and 85 of the 2013 Constitution. It provides that when a vacancy arises, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition each submit a candidate, with Parliament voting to confirm the nominee. If both sides nominate the same individual, a vote is not necessary.
Previous presidents have included prominent figures like Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and Ratu Josefa Iloilo, as well as Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konrote who served two consecutive terms under the 2013 Constitution.
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