Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has signaled the possibility of forming a government of national unity.
Currently, the Coalition government is comprised of three parties: the People’s Alliance, the National Federation Party (NFP) and the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA).
The FijiFirst Party constitutes the opposition.
Should a government of national unity be formed, it would mean incorporating members from all major political parties, including the opposition into the government, promoting broader collaboration and unity.
Rabuka said there is a strong potential for such a government, citing upcoming issues like constitutional changes and national reconciliation that would require widespread cooperation.
He dismissed rumors suggesting an intent to remove one of the coalition partners, NFP or SODELPA to instead form a coalition with the 17 terminated FijiFirst Members of Parliament.
“The opening address by His Excellency the President at the beginning of this session indicated they would like to do a national approach to most of the national problems.”
Rabuka also denied having engaged in discussions with FijiFirst MPs.
The Prime Minister reiterated his respect for the FijiFirst Party and stated he would not attempt to fracture it.
However, he said that if necessary, terminated FijiFirst MPs can approach the government for discussions.
Rabuka reaffirmed the stability of the Coalition government and urged Fijians to remain calm and confident in the constitutional processes that govern Fiji.
Meanwhile, the FijiFirst members in Parliament remain committed to the party’s foundational principles of equality, transparency, and accountability.
This affirmation follows recent accusations by former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, who claimed that 16 MPs compromised the principles by voting in favour of the Emoluments Committee Report.
On Monday, Sayed-Khaiyum stated that the MPs’ actions compromised the values of equality, justice, and fairness that FijiFirst upholds.
“But these 17 people who voted for a pay rise compromised the principle of Fiji First.”
While responding to the claims, FijiFirst MP Semi Koroilavesau said they did not go against the party and its principles; however, they were basically going against Sayed-Khaiyum and how he operated the party.
“No we were basically going against him and the way he ran the party.”
Koroilavesau has been vocal in terms of the internal issues and has highlighted that they intend to carry the legacy forward.
“I think the members that are in the parliament wish to continue with the platform that was established in Fiji, you know on the transparency and accountability, we would like to continue with that and carry forward.”
19 FijiFirst MPs participated in a meeting Tuesday to look at the repercussions of the office holders’ resignations and look at what the alternatives are to try and map out what’s best.
