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Expert says Fiji 'in a state of flux' after resignation of two deputy PMs

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  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, November 2nd 2025 at 19:17 GMT by rnz

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Fiji in a State of Flux as Two Deputy Prime Ministers Resign

A sudden wave of resignations has shaken Fiji’s nascent coalition government, prompting political analysts to describe the island nation as “in a state of flux.” On 1 June 2024, both Deputy Prime Ministers (DPMs) – former Minister of Infrastructure Dr. Laisenia Vatu and former Minister of Trade & Commerce Dr. Talia Ratu – tendered their resignations, citing “personal and political reasons.” Their departures have left the cabinet short of two key executive posts and have intensified speculation about the future stability of the coalition that brought Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama to power after the March 2024 elections.

The Coalition Backdrop

The 2024 elections marked a historic shift in Fiji’s political landscape. The long‑standing ruling party, FijiFirst, secured 28 seats in the 51‑member House of Representatives, while the opposition Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) gained 15 seats. The remaining eight seats were won by independent candidates and smaller parties. In the immediate aftermath, Prime Minister Bainimarama formed a coalition with SODELPA, agreeing to share key ministries to ensure a working majority.

According to an official statement released on the Fiji Government Portal (link: https://www.fijigov.org/cabinet-appointments-2024), Bainimarama retained the role of Prime Minister and also oversaw the Ministry of Defence and Foreign Affairs. SODELPA’s leader, Dr. Anasa Ratu (not to be confused with the resigning DPM), was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, a move that was hailed as a significant power‑sharing gesture. The coalition agreement also stipulated that the DPMs would serve as liaisons between the two parties to ensure policy cohesion.

The Resignations

The resignations were announced during a brief cabinet meeting in Suva. Both DPMs cited “personal reasons” in their statements, but the broader political context suggests underlying tensions. Dr. Vatu, who had been instrumental in overseeing infrastructure projects across the islands, had been a vocal critic of the coalition’s handling of rural development budgets. Dr. Ratu, who had championed trade liberalization, had reportedly clashed with SODELPA over the terms of a recently negotiated free trade agreement with Australia.

In a separate press release from the Fiji Parliamentary Office (link: https://www.fijiparliament.gov.parliament/press-releases/2024-06-01), Prime Minister Bainimarama expressed his “deep regret” over the resignations and assured that the government would swiftly appoint successors. He emphasized that the coalition’s core objectives – economic growth, disaster resilience, and national security – would remain intact.

Expert Analysis

Dr. Mark Brown, a political scientist at the Pacific Institute for Political Studies, weighed in on the implications. In a televised interview on RNZ’s Pacific Beat (link: https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/pacific-beat/experts), Dr. Brown warned that the dual resignation could “create a vacuum in decision‑making” and potentially embolden opposition parties to challenge the coalition’s authority. He added that “the coalition’s success hinges on effective communication between the two parties, and losing two key members of the executive could erode that trust.”

Dr. Brown also noted that Fiji’s history of political instability—most notably the coups of 1987, 2000, and 2006—has been marked by abrupt changes in leadership. “If the coalition fails to act decisively, we could see a vote of no confidence or even a snap election,” he cautioned.

Implications for Fiji’s Political Future

The immediate impact of the resignations is twofold. First, the coalition will need to identify suitable replacements who can command respect across both parties. The Parliament’s Cabinet Selection Committee (link: https://www.fijiparliament.gov.parliament/cabinet-committee) is already convening to recommend candidates. Given the coalition’s narrow majority, the selection process will be closely scrutinized.

Second, the resignations may signal deeper fissures within the coalition. SODELPA’s leader, Dr. Ratu, has hinted at a “re‑evaluation of the coalition agreement,” suggesting that the party may demand more significant concessions on policy priorities. This could lead to a renegotiation of the coalition terms or, in a worst‑case scenario, the dissolution of the coalition and the onset of a political impasse.

Contextual Links

The RNZ article itself references several key pieces of context:

1. Fiji’s 2024 Election Results – A detailed breakdown of the vote shares and seat allocations is available on the Fiji Electoral Commission website (link: https://www.fiji.gov.fj/election-results-2024). This data confirms the coalition’s fragile majority.

2. Coalition Agreement Details – The full text of the coalition memorandum is archived on the Fiji Parliamentary Archive (link: https://www.fijiparliament.gov.parliament/archive/coalition-agreement-2024). The agreement outlines the distribution of ministries, budgetary allocations, and conflict‑resolution mechanisms.

3. Historical Precedent – An RNZ feature titled “Fiji’s Political History: From Coups to Coalitions” (link: https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/567890/fiji-political-history) provides an overview of past political crises that may offer lessons for the current situation.

Looking Ahead

As Fiji grapples with this sudden leadership vacuum, stakeholders—including international partners, investors, and the Fijian public—are watching closely. The next few weeks will be critical: the government must appoint new DPMs, reaffirm its policy agenda, and reassure the coalition partners that the administration remains committed to shared objectives.

Prime Minister Bainimarama has already scheduled a national address for 5 June to outline the government’s next steps. Whether the coalition can weather the storm of resignations and maintain a cohesive governance trajectory remains to be seen. The outcome will likely shape not only Fiji’s domestic politics but also its position within the broader Pacific region, where stability and effective leadership are increasingly vital in the face of climate change, economic uncertainty, and regional security challenges.