| Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji | |
|---|---|
| iVukevuke ni Matanitu ni Lotu e Viti (Fijian) फिजी के उप प्रधानमंत्री (Fiji Hindi) | |
 | |
 | |
| Style | The Honourable |
| Status | Deputy head of government |
| Member of | Cabinet |
The Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji is the deputy of the prime minister of the Republic of Fiji. Since 2022, there have been three deputy prime ministers. [1]
 |
| Name | Prime Minister | Took office | Left office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edward Cakobau | Kamisese Mara | 1972 | June 1973 | |
| Penaia Ganilau | Kamisese Mara | 1973 | February 1983 | [2] |
| David Toganivalu | Kamisese Mara | 1985 | April 1987 | Concurrent office holder |
| Mosese Qionibaravi | Kamisese Mara | 1985 | April 1987 | Concurrent office holder |
| Harish Sharma | Timoci Bavadra | April 1987 | May 1987 | [3] |
| Josefata Kamikamica | Kamisese Mara | October 1991 | 1992 | Concurrent office holder [4] [5] |
| Sitiveni Rabuka | Kamisese Mara | July 1991 | 1992 | Concurrent office holder [5] |
| Tomasi Vakatora | Kamisese Mara | 1992 | 1992 | Concurrent office holder [6] |
| Filipe Bole | Sitiveni Rabuka | June 1992 | 1993 - ? | Concurrent office holder [7] |
| Timoci Vesikula | Sitiveni Rabuka | June 1993 [7] | 1994 | Concurrent office holder [8] |
| Taufa Vakatale | Sitiveni Rabuka | August 1997 | 1999 | [9] |
| Kuini Speed | Mahendra Chaudhry | May 1999 [10] | May 2000 | Concurrent office holder [11] |
| Tupeni Baba | Mahendra Chaudhry | May 1999 [10] | May 2000 | Concurrent office holder [11] |
| Epeli Nailatikau | Laisenia Qarase | August 2000 [12] | 2001 | |
| Tupeni Baba | Laisenia Qarase | March 2001 [13] | 2001 | |
| Epeli Nailatikau | Laisenia Qarase | 2001 | September 2001 [14] | |
| Teimumu Kepa | Laisenia Qarase | 2001 | 2006 | |
| Biman Prasad | Sitiveni Rabuka | December 2022 | Incumbent | Concurrent office holder [15] |
| Viliame Gavoka | Sitiveni Rabuka | December 2022 | Incumbent | Concurrent office holder [15] |
| Manoa Kamikamica | Sitiveni Rabuka | December 2022 | Incumbent | Concurrent office holder [15] |
Brigadier-General RatuEpeli Nailatikau, is a Fijian chief who was President of Fiji from 2009 to 2015. He has had a long career in the Military, diplomatic service, and government. From 2001 to 2006 he served as Speaker of the House of Representatives – the lower and more powerful chamber of the Fijian Parliament. He was also the chairman of the Parliamentary Appropriations Committee and of the House Committee. On 8 January 2007, he was appointed the interim Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade; he was moved to the post of interim Minister for Provincial Development and Multi-Ethnic Affairs in September 2008. In October 2008, he became Indigenous Affairs Minister "and effectively Great Council of Chiefs chairman". On 17 April 2009, he was appointed Vice-President by the military government.
The president of Fiji is the head of state of the Republic of Fiji. The president is appointed by the Parliament for a three-year term under the terms of the 2013 Constitution. Although not entirely a figurehead, the role of president in the government is largely ceremonial, but there are important reserve powers that may be exercised in the event of a crisis. In addition, the president is the commander-in-chief of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.
Brigadier-General RatuEpeli Ganilau, MC, MSD, was a Fijian military officer and politician. His career previously encompassed such roles as Commander of the Fiji Military Forces and Chairman of the Bose Levu Vakaturaga. On 15 January 2007 he was sworn in as Minister for Fijian Affairs in the interim Cabinet formed in the wake of the 2006 Fijian coup d'état which deposed the Qarase government on 5 December 2006.
Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka is a Fijian politician, sportsman, and former soldier who has been serving as Prime Minister of Fiji since 24 December 2022. He was the instigator of two military coups in 1987. He was democratically elected as Prime Minister of Fiji, serving from 1992 to 1999, and again in 2022, leading a three-party coalition. He also served as Chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs from 1999 to 2001, and later as Chairman of the Cakaudrove Provincial Council from 2001 to 2008.
The Fijian coups d'état of 1987 resulted in the overthrow of the elected government of Fijian Prime Minister Timoci Bavadra, the deposition of Elizabeth II as Queen of Fiji, and in the declaration of a republic. The first coup d'état, in which Bavadra was deposed, took place on 14 May 1987; a second coup d'état on 25 September ended the monarchy, and was shortly followed by the proclamation of a republic on 10 October. Both military actions were led by Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka, then third in command of the Royal Fiji Military Forces.
In Fiji, the Leader of the Opposition is a senior politician who commands the support of the Official Opposition. The Leader of the Opposition is, by convention, the leader of the largest political party in the Parliament of Fiji that is not in government. This is usually this is the parliamentary leader of the second-largest caucus in Parliament. It did not originate in Fiji but has a long tradition; in British constitutional theory, the Leader of the Opposition must pose a formal alternative to the government, ready to form a government himself should the Prime Minister lose the confidence of the parliament.
Josaia Voreqe "Frank" Bainimarama is a Fijian former politician and naval officer who served as the prime minister of Fiji from 2007 until 2022. A member of the FijiFirst party, which he founded in 2014, he began his career as an officer in the Fijian navy and commander of the Fijian military. Despite being suspended from Parliament, he served as the opposition leader from 24 December 2022 until 8 March 2023, when he resigned and was replaced by Inia Seruiratu.
RatuInoke Matavasona Kububuabola is a Fijian politician and Cabinet Minister. He is the former leader of the opposition and Minister for Foreign Affairs. Since 11 August 2022, he has been a High Commissioner to New Zealand.
RoTeimumu Vuikaba Kepa is a Fijian chief, former Member of the Parliament of Fiji, and former leader of the Social Democratic Liberal Party. She was the first Fijian woman to serve as Leader of the Opposition. She previously held the position of Deputy Prime Minister in the Qarase-led Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) government from 2001 to 2006. As the paramount chief of the Burebasaga Confederacy, she holds the title Roko Tui Dreketi.
Since attaining independence from the United Kingdom on 10 October 1970, Fijian history has been marked by exponential economic growth up to 1987, followed by relative stagnation, caused to a large extent by political instability following two military coups in 1987 and a civilian putsch in 2000. This was followed by another military coup in 2006. Rivalry between indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians, rather than ideological differences, have been the most visible cleavage of Fijian politics. Later in 2020, Fiji was hit by the global COVID-19 pandemic, which affected the economy and the daily lives of the people.
Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day was a national public holiday in Fiji until the year 2010, when the Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, declared both Ratu Sir Lala Sakuna Day and National Youth Day to no longer be public holidays. It was originally celebrated annually on the last Monday of May, in honour of Lala Sukuna (1888-1958), the national father of modern Fiji, whose death anniversary falls on 30 May. The week leading up to Ratu Sukuna Day is marked by public celebrations with speeches and events, with an address from the President of Fiji on the closing day. Members of the public enter Parliament grounds to polish Sukuna's statue.
RatuCokanauto Tu'uakitau was a Fijian chief and politician. He was the scion of a distinguished family, as a son of Ratu Sir Edward Cakobau, and brother of Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, who had served as President of Fiji from 2009 to 2015.
General elections will be held in Fiji by 2026 to elect members of the eighth Parliament under the 2013 constitution.
The Republic of the Fiji Islands was the first Pacific Island country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, in 1975. China established an embassy in Fiji in 1976, and Fiji opened its embassy in China in 2001.
The Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) is a Fijian political party. The party was formed in January 2013 after the dissolution of the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua.
Events of 2020 in Fiji.
General elections were held in Fiji on 14 December 2022 to elect the 55 members of Parliament. The elections took place following the passage of controversial electoral amendments.
The People's Alliance is a political party in Fiji. The party was formed in 2021 by Sitiveni Rabuka who served as Prime Minister of Fiji from 1992 to 1999 and again from December 2022.
Events of 2022 in Fiji.
Manoa Seru Nakausabaria Kamikamica is a Fijian politician and cabinet minister who has served as one of the Deputy Prime Ministers since 24 December 2022. He is also a member of the People's Alliance serving as deputy party leader.
