Fiji is expecting a new leader to take office for the first time in 16 years after national elections resulted in three parties joining to form a coalition government to dislodge longtime Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.
The Social Democratic Liberal Party, which holds three seats and became a powerbroker after elections returned a hung parliament, announced on Tuesday that it had decided to form a coalition with Sitiveni Rabuka’s People’s Alliance and the National Federation Party.
The formation of the coalition came after days of deliberations and rival presentations by incumbent Bainimarama’s Fiji First party and Rabuka’s People’s Alliance party aimed at breaking the deadlock.
Fijians took to the streets of the capital Suva in celebration on Tuesday night, cheering “the new PM” and setting off fireworks.
But parliament delayed its first sitting on Wednesday when it had been expected that Rabuka would be sworn in as prime minister, because President Wiliame Katonivere has not yet issued a proclamation to hold the session.
The police has called for calm and urged “all Fijians to respect the political process”.
Credit: Aljazeera.com
