| Fiji |
 This article is part of the series: |
|
|
|
Executive
Legislative Former institutions
|
|
Other countries · Atlas Politics Portal |
Fiji's Head of State is the President of the Republic of the Fiji Islands. Fiji (Matanitu ko Viti फ़िजी officially the Republic of the Fiji Islands (Matanitu Tu-Vaka-i-koya ko Viti फ़िजी द्वीप समूह गणराज्य Politics of Fiji takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic Republic, whereby the Prime Minister of Fiji is the Politics of Fiji takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic Republic, whereby the Prime Minister of Fiji is the Ratu is a title used by Fijians of chiefly rank An equivalent title Adi (andi is used by females of chiefly rank Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda, CF, MBE, MSD, KStJ, (born December 29, 1920) has been the President The Fijian vice-presidency is a mostly ceremonial office The position was created in 1990, to provide a constitutional successor to the President, As a former British colony, Fiji has largely adopted British political models and follows the Westminster, or Cabinet system of government in which the Commodore is a Military rank used in many navies for officers whose position exceeds that of a navy captain, but is less than Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, MSD, OStJ, Fijian Navy, known commonly as Frank Bainimarama and sometimes by the chiefly title Fiji has the Westminster system - executive authority is vested nominally in a President, but exercised in practice by a Cabinet of Ministers presided Fiji 's chief governmental legal officer is the Attorney General. The post of Leader of the Opposition is a political office common in countries that are part of the Commonwealth of Nations. Fiji 's Parliament is Bicameral. The House of Representatives has 71 members The Senate of Fiji is the upper chamber of Parliament. It is the less powerful of the two chambers it may not initiate legislation but may amend or veto it The House of Representatives is the lower chamber of Fiji's Parliament. The Speaker is the presiding officer of the Fijian House of Representatives. Fiji is divided administratively into four divisions which are further subdivided into fourteen Provinces Each division is headed by a Commissioner Fiji has established municipal governments for two cities ( Suva and Lautoka) and ten Towns ( Ba, Labasa, Lami Fiji's municipal elections of October 2002 produced results that allowed three major political parties the United Fiji Party (SDL the Fiji Labour Party Municipal elections were held for 11 of Fiji's twelve City and Town councils on 22 October 2005. The title of Queen of Fiji was held by Queen Elizabeth II between 1972 and 1987. Fiji was a British Crown Colony from 1874 to 1970 and an independent Dominion in the British Commonwealth from 1970 to 1987 Fiji became a British Crown Colony in 1874 and an independent Dominion in the Commonwealth in 1970 Fiji 's British colonial rulers established the office of Chief Minister in October 1967 along with the Cabinet system of government The colonial Governors of Fiji relied on the Executive Council for advice on proposals for legislation which after being discussed in the Executive Council meetings The Fijian Legislative Council was the colonial precursor to the present-day Parliament, which came into existence when Fiji became independent on The Constitution of Fiji is the supreme law of Fiji. Background The Constitution of the Republic of the Fiji Islands dates from 1997 The Constitution of Fiji begins with a Preamble, which sets out the historical cultural and political reasons for the drafting of the 1997 Constitution Chapter 1 The State The first chapter of the Fiji Constitution is titled The State Chapter 2 Compact The second chapter of the Fiji Constitution contains Sections 6 and 7 of the Constitution Chapter 3 Citizenship The third chapter of the Fijian Constitution, comprising Sections 8 through 20 of the Constitution set out the rules for Chapter 4 Bill of Rights Chapter 4 of the Constitution of Fiji is titled Bill of Rights Chapter 5 Social Justice Chapter 5 of the Fiji Constitution is titled Social Justice Chapter 6 The Parliament Chapter 6 of the Fiji Constitution is titled The Parliament Chapter 7 Executive Government Chapter 7 of the Fiji Constitution is titled Executive Government Chapter 8 Great Council of Chiefs (Bose Levu Vakaturaga Chapter 8 Executive Government Chapter 9 Judiciary Chapter 9 of the Fijian constitution is titled Judiurt of Appeal (Fiji|Court of Appeal]] and the Supreme Court, and also Chapter 10 State Services Chapter 10 of the Fijian constitution is titled State Services Chapter 11Accountability Chapter 11 of the Fijian constitution is titled Accountability Chapter 12 Revenue and Expenditure Section 175 Raising of revenue The raising by the Government of revenue or moneys whether through the imposition of taxation or otherwise Chapter 13 Group Rights Section 185 Alteration of certain Acts (1 A bill alters any of the following Acts namely(a Fijian Affairs Act(b Fijian Development Fund Chapter 14 Emergency Powers Section 187 Emergency powers (1 The Parliament may make a law conferring power on the President acting on the advice of the Cabinet Chapter 15 Amendment of Constitution Section 190 Alteration of Constitution This Constitution may be altered in the way set out in this Chapter and may not be altered Chapter 16 Commencement Interpretation and Repeals Section 193 Short title and commencement (1 This Act maybe cited as the Constitution Amendment Act 1997 Chapter 17 of the Constitution of Fiji is named "Schedule Oaths and Affirmations The Great Council of Chiefs (Bose Levu Vakaturaga in Fijian) is a now dormant 1997 constitutional body in the Republic of the Fiji Islands. The Great Council of Chiefs (Bose Levu Vakaturaga in Fijian) is a formal assembly of Fiji 's senior hereditary chiefs, along with Ratu Ovini Bokini Ratu (born 3 November 1944) is a Fijian chief and political leader Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, MSD, OStJ, Fijian Navy, known commonly as Frank Bainimarama and sometimes by the chiefly title This article lists political parties in Fiji. Fiji has a Multi-party system with numerous parties in which no one party often has a chance of gaining Historical overview Fiji 's electoral system is the result of complex negotiations compromises and experiments conducted over the years leading up to and following independence The Fijian House of Representatives consists of 71 members all elected from single member constuencies. A constituency is any cohesive corporate unit or body bound by shared structures goals or loyalty Open constituencies represent one of several electoral models employed in the past and present in the Fijian electoral system. Communal constituencies have been the most durable feature of the Fijian electoral system. National constituencies are a former feature of the Fijian electoral system. Fiji has held nine general elections for the House of Representatives since becoming independent of the United Kingdom in 1970; there had The Constitution of Fiji requires general elections for the House of Representatives to be held at least once every five years General elections were until recently scheduled to be held in Fiji in March 2009 Elections to the offices of President and Vice-President of Fiji took place on 8 March 2006, when the Great Council of Chiefs Fiji has had many coups recently in 1987 2000 and 2006. Fiji has been suspended various times from the Commonwealth of Nations, a grouping of mostly Fiji has a small number of diplomatic missions abroad - it does not even have missions on any neighbouring Pacific Island states Information on politics by country is available for every Country, including both De jure and De facto independent Fiji (Matanitu ko Viti फ़िजी officially the Republic of the Fiji Islands (Matanitu Tu-Vaka-i-koya ko Viti फ़िजी द्वीप समूह गणराज्य Tui Viti (King of Fiji (1871 to 1874 See also Tui Viti Seru Epenisa Cakobau: 5 June 1871 - 10 October President is a Title leaders of Organizations companies, Trade unions universities, and countries. He or she is appointed by the Great Council of Chiefs for a five-year term. The Great Council of Chiefs (Bose Levu Vakaturaga in Fijian) is a now dormant 1997 constitutional body in the Republic of the Fiji Islands. The Great Council of Chiefs is constitutionally required to consult the Prime Minister, but this does not give the Prime Minister a veto, only the right to be consulted. As a former British colony, Fiji has largely adopted British political models and follows the Westminster, or Cabinet system of government in which the Although not entirely a figurehead, the President's role in government is mostly ceremonial, but there are important reserve powers that may be exercised in the event of a crisis. In politics a figurehead, by Metaphor with the carved figurehead at the prow of a sailing ship is a person who holds an important title or office yet executes little In a parliamentary or semi-presidential system of Government, a reserve power is a power that may be exercised by the Head of state without the In addition, the President is Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF with a total manpower of 3500 men is one of the smallest militaries in the world Within the chiefly hierarchy, however, the President holds a lower ranking than the Paramount Chief of Fiji, currently Elizabeth II, Ilisapeci-Na Radi ni Viti kei Peritania. The Paramount Chief of Fiji (Fijian Ilisapeci-Na Radi ni Viti kei Peritania or Ilisapeci-Na Tui Viti) is the name given to Queen Elizabeth For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II
Contents |
Presidential history
The presidential office was established following two military coups in 1987 that led to the proclamation of a republic on October 7, and severed the 113-year link with the British Monarchy and later Fijian Monarchy. The Fiji coups of 1987 resulted in the overthrow of the elected government of Fijian Prime Minister Timoci Bavadra, the deposition of Elizabeth II A republic is a State or Country that is not led by a hereditary Monarch, but in which the people (or at least a part of its people have impact on its Events 3761 BC - The epoch (origin of the modern Hebrew calendar ( Proleptic Julian calendar) TalkCommonewalth realm.--> The monarchy The title of Queen of Fiji was held by Queen Elizabeth II between 1972 and 1987. Major-General Sitiveni Rabuka, who had masterminded the coups, formed an Interim Military Government with himself as its head. Major General or Major-General is a Military rank used in many countries Major-General Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, OBE, MSD, OStJ, (born September 13, 1948 is best known as the instigator of two military He did not, however, take the title of President, and on December 5 appointed Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, the last Governor-General, as the first President of the republic. President is a Title leaders of Organizations companies, Trade unions universities, and countries. Events 63 BC - Cicero reads the last of his Catiline Orations. Education and early career Ganilau was educated at Northern Provincial School, Queen Victoria School and Wadham College, Oxford University Fiji became a British Crown Colony in 1874 and an independent Dominion in the Commonwealth in 1970
A civilian putsch instigated by George Speight led to another constitutional upheaval in 2000. The Fiji coup of 2000 was a complicated affair involving a civilian Putsch by hardline Fijian nationalists against the elected government of Prime The Fiji coup of 2000 was a complicated affair involving a civilian Putsch by hardline Fijian nationalists against the elected government of Prime George Speight, occasionally known as Ilikimi Naitini (born 16 May 1957) was the principal instigator of the Fiji coup of 2000, in which he 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara resigned on May 29 rather than abrogate the Constitution, as the Military, supported by the Supreme Court, had asked. Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara Kabakoro] GCMG KBE CF, ( May 6, 1920 &ndash April 18, 2004 Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian defeats the Sassanid army in the Battle of Ctesiphon, under the walls of the The Constitution of Fiji is the supreme law of Fiji. Background The Constitution of the Republic of the Fiji Islands dates from 1997 The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF with a total manpower of 3500 men is one of the smallest militaries in the world The Supreme Court of Fiji is one of three courts established by Chapter 9 of the Constitution, the others being the High Court and the (Whether or not his resignation was forced is the subject of an ongoing police investigation). Commodore Frank Bainimarama took power as Head of the Interim Military Government (as had Rabuka in 1987), until Ratu Josefa Iloilo was appointed President on 13 July. Commodore is a Military rank used in many navies for officers whose position exceeds that of a navy captain, but is less than Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, MSD, OStJ, Fijian Navy, known commonly as Frank Bainimarama and sometimes by the chiefly title Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda, CF, MBE, MSD, KStJ, (born December 29, 1920) has been the President Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to
On 5 December 2006, the Military again overthrew the government. The Fijian Coup d'état of December 2006 occurred as a continuation of the pressure which had been building since the military unrest of the 2000 Fijian coup d'état Events 63 BC - Cicero reads the last of his Catiline Orations. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The Fijian Coup d'état of December 2006 occurred as a continuation of the pressure which had been building since the military unrest of the 2000 Fijian coup d'état Bainimarama declared himself Acting President; he initially said that he had assumed the office in an interim capacity, and would soon ask the Great Council of Chiefs to reinstate Iloilo, but on 17 December he insisted that he was now the President and that the Great Council should recognize him as such. The Great Council of Chiefs (Bose Levu Vakaturaga in Fijian) is a now dormant 1997 constitutional body in the Republic of the Fiji Islands. Events 546 - Gothic War (535–554: The Ostrogoths of King Totila [1] Iloilo was re-instated as President on January 4, 2007.
In January 2008, Citizens Constitutional Forum director Reverend Akuila Yabaki suggested that the position of President should, in future, be open to persons of any ethnicity, rather than reserved for indigenous Fijians. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Fijian people are the major indigenous people of the Fiji Islands, and live in an area informally called Melanesia. This suggestion was controversial, and was notably opposed by deposed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase. Laisenia Qarase (born February 4, 1941) served as the Prime Minister of Fiji from 2000 to 2006 A Rewa chief, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, also opposed the idea, and stated his view on the function of the presidency:
- "The position of the president symbolises unity of both traditional structures of leadership which existed before parliamentary rule was established and the current Westminster system of parliament. The Westminster system is a democratic Parliamentary system of Government modelled after the British government (the Parliament of the United This is where the Western system meets our traditional vanua system and we acknowledge the indigenous leadership that has evolved and catered for all races in our multi-cultural society. The term multiculturalism generally refers to a state of racial, cultural and ethnic diversity within the Demographics of a specified By nominating the President the nation is acknowledging the role our chiefs have played in society and I think the Fijian people would appreciate that the status quo stay. Ratu is a title used by Fijians of chiefly rank An equivalent title Adi (andi is used by females of chiefly rank " [1]
Interim Military Government
| Order | Head of the Interim Military Government | Term of office |
| 1. | Major-General Sitiveni Rabuka | 7 October 1987 - 5 December 1987 |
Presidents
| Order | President | Term of office |
| 1. Major General or Major-General is a Military rank used in many countries Major-General Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, OBE, MSD, OStJ, (born September 13, 1948 is best known as the instigator of two military Events 3761 BC - The epoch (origin of the modern Hebrew calendar ( Proleptic Julian calendar) Events 63 BC - Cicero reads the last of his Catiline Orations. | Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau | 5 December 1987 - 15 December 1993 |
| 2. Education and early career Ganilau was educated at Northern Provincial School, Queen Victoria School and Wadham College, Oxford University Events 63 BC - Cicero reads the last of his Catiline Orations. Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) Events 533 - Byzantine general Belisarius defeats the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) | Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara | 15 December 1993 - 29 May 2000 |
Interim Military Government
| Order | Head of the Interim Military Government | Term of office |
| 2. Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara Kabakoro] GCMG KBE CF, ( May 6, 1920 &ndash April 18, 2004 Events 533 - Byzantine general Belisarius defeats the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian defeats the Sassanid army in the Battle of Ctesiphon, under the walls of the 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. | Commodore Frank Bainimarama | 29 May 2000 - 13 July 2000 |
President
| Order | President | Term of office |
| 3. Commodore is a Military rank used in many navies for officers whose position exceeds that of a navy captain, but is less than Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, MSD, OStJ, Fijian Navy, known commonly as Frank Bainimarama and sometimes by the chiefly title Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian defeats the Sassanid army in the Battle of Ctesiphon, under the walls of the 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. | Ratu Josefa Iloilo | 13 July 2000 - 5 December 2006 |
Interim Military Government
| Order | Head of the Interim Military Government | Term of office |
| 3. Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda, CF, MBE, MSD, KStJ, (born December 29, 1920) has been the President Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Events 63 BC - Cicero reads the last of his Catiline Orations. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. | Commodore Frank Bainimarama | 5 December 2006 - 4 January 2007 |
President
| Order | President | Term of office |
| 3. Commodore is a Military rank used in many navies for officers whose position exceeds that of a navy captain, but is less than Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, MSD, OStJ, Fijian Navy, known commonly as Frank Bainimarama and sometimes by the chiefly title Events 63 BC - Cicero reads the last of his Catiline Orations. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 46 BC - Titus Labienus defeats Julius Caesar in the Battle of Ruspina. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. | Ratu Josefa Iloilo | 4 January 2007 - present |
References
- ^ "Keep President Fijian", Robert Matau, Fiji Times, January 7, 2008
Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic