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Reuters

Sitiveni Rabuka became Fiji’s prime minister on Saturday after a coalition of parties voted to install him, signalling an end to Frank Bainimarama’s 16 years in power.
The appointment of Rabuka ends 10 days of uncertainty after an election delivered a hung parliament. Fiji’s Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) on Friday voted to form a coalition with Rabuka’s People’s Alliance and the National Federation Party.
The deal was designed to dislodge Fiji First’s Frank Bainimarama, who has led the Pacific archipelago since a 2006 coup.
Saturday’s secret parliamentary vote for prime minister was closer than had been expected, with 28 members of parliament voting for Rabuka while 27 voted in support of Bainimarama.
No doubt China has become ‘more assertive’ in the Pacific: New Zealand PM
The coalition holds 29 seats in parliament, indicating that one member had broken ranks to vote in favour of the former prime minister.
Leaving parliament on Saturday, Rabuka told waiting media he was humbled to have become the prime minister of Fiji before being rushed away to be sworn in by the country’s president.
Biman Prasad, leader of the NFP and the new finance minister, said the incoming government would work for the Fijian people.
“We will work with everyone. We will work with the opposition, we will consult and we will work with our people,” he told reporters.
Bainimarama told media on Saturday that his removal from power reflected the democratic process.
“This is democracy. That is my legacy,” he said. He has been elected leader of the opposition.

The prime ministers of both New Zealand and Australia released statements to congratulate the newly sworn-in Rabuka.
“We strongly value Fiji as a close friend and partner as we progress our shared priorities for the region,” New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.
Anthony Albanese, Australia’s prime minister, added in a tweet that he also looked forward to working with Rabuka.
Fiji has been pivotal to the strategically located South Pacific’s response to increasing competition for influence between China and the United States. Rabuka has said he favours Western-style democracy.
What’s New Zealand’s plan as superpower rivalry escalates in the Pacific?
In a press conference earlier this month, SODELPA’s leader said he wanted Fiji’s foreign relations to be closely aligned with Australia, New Zealand and some members of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Fiji has a history of military coups, with Rabuka staging two in 1987, and at times witnessed tense race relations between its indigenous majority and a large ethnic Indian group until constitutional reform in 2013 removed a race-based voting system that favoured indigenous Fijians.
Although the military was called in to assist police in maintaining law and order on Thursday, the country has remained peaceful.


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Pacific nations

Sitiveni Rabuka returns as Fiji PM, ending Frank Bainimarama’s 16-year rule

Sitiveni Rabuka’s supporters celebrate in Suva on December 20. Photo: AFP

Fiji’s prime minister-elect Sitiveni Rabuka greets party workers in Suva on December 20. Photo: AFP

Fiji First leader Frank Bainimarama. Photo: EPA-EFE

New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern says no doubt China has become ‘more assertive’ in the Pacific

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Photo: AP

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said her government was working on providing good healthcare and housing for Māori. File photo: TVNZ/Reuters

Fiji military called in to ‘help maintain order’ after disputed election

Fiji’s long-time prime minister said the military had been deployed to maintain “law and order”, after a close election. Photo: AFP

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Asia

Australasia

The appointment of Rabuka ends 10 days of uncertainty after an election delivered a hung parliament
The coup-prone island has been pivotal to the strategically located South Pacific’s response to increasing competition for influence between China and the US


The appointment of Rabuka ends 10 days of uncertainty after an election delivered a hung parliament.


Pacific Islands Forum