Fiji elects former coup leader SitiveniRabuka as new prime minister
Dec 26, 2022
Wellington [New Zealand], December 26: After 16 years, the Pacific Island state of Fiji has a new prime minister with SitiveniRabuka sworn in to the position on Saturday. Rabuka takes over from Frank Voreqe Bainimarama who, as then head of Fiji's military, seized power in a 2006 coup. In a secret parliamentary vote for prime minister on Saturday, Rabuka got 28 votes, while 27 lawmakers voted for Bainimarama. Rabuka's appointment ended 10 days of uncertainty in the country after an election ended in a hung parliament.
The power rested with the Social Democratic Liberal Party (Sodelpa), led by ViliameGavoka, which took three seats and thus became a king-maker. Sodelpa members twice voted to side with Rabuka's People's Alliance Party and the National Federation Party in a coalition, over Bainimarama's FijiFirst Party.
Rabuka was an army colonel in 1987 when he instigated two military coups against the elected government. He stayed in office for much of the 1990s.
Source: Qatar tribune
