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Prime ministerial race hots up in Fiji

Shailendra Singh in Suva

Counting of votes for the Fiji elections has just begun, but there is already furious wrangling over who will get to be the prime minister.

The Fiji Labour Party is furious at reports that ethnic Fijian parties are forming an alliance to prevent FLP leader Mahendra Chaudhry from becoming prime minister.

The reports say ethnic Fijian parties are opposed to an Indo-Fijian becoming prime minister. Their alliance is being formed in anticipation of the FLP winning a majority in the 71-seat House.

Labour Party spokesman Jokapeci Koroi said the alliance was trying to put pressure on President Ratu Josefa Iloilo, who will appoint the prime minister.

Koroi said the president should respect and uphold the constitution in appointing the next prime minister. Koroi also raised objections to comments by the permanent secretary in the president's office, Jeremaia Waqanisau.

Waqanisau had said the president would use his own judgment in appointing a prime minister, leaving unclear whether Iloilo would appoint Chaudhry if the FLP won a majority or headed a coalition with other parties.

According to some reports, Iloilo is against swearing in Chaudhry. Political analysts say this could be because he does not want a repeat of the violent overthrow of Chaudhry-led government in May last year.

Koroi, however, quoted the constitution to make it clear that the president would have to appoint a prime minister who enjoys majority support.

She said a government enjoying majority support could be the only basis for national stability and unity, and was the only way to ensure Fiji's economic recovery and recognition by the international community.

"The world is watching and urging Fiji to take this logical step in order to return to a constitutional and legal government. Those who are bent on derailing this process need to be reminded of the dire consequences that will follow for our people and country."

Koroi said the international community would only accept a democratically elected prime minister and government.

Over two-thirds of Fiji's 480,000 eligible voters have cast their ballots to restore democracy. While the weeklong elections went fairly smoothly, there are fears of violence once results are announced.

"It could be the calm before the storm," said one observer. Counting of votes is expected to end Wednesday. Koroi called on security forces to be alert during the counting process.

Indo-Asian News Service

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