Fiji PM Rabuka under pressure ahead of crucial vote on constitutional reform

Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s coalition government is falling apart ahead of the crucial third reading of a major bill to change the country’s 2013 Constitution.

This comes after two of its minor partners, whose support was key to his forming a government in December 2022, have instructed their members of Parliament to vote against the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 later this week.

Rabuka needs a two-thirds majority — at least 36 votes — to pass the bill through a 53-seat Parliament following the passing of two MPs from the original 55-member house.

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Rabuka has promised to press on with tabling the bill when Parliament resumes today for a vote from lawmakers to get it over the line for a proposed national referendum on  December 9.

Last month, Rabuka had downplayed coalition tensions after prematurely announcing Fiji’s first-ever referendum date.

However, things have moved quickly over the weekend after the National Federation Party (NFP) withdrew from the special parliamentary committee led by Rabuka, and declared that the party would not be voting in favour of the bill.

It comes just days after the Social Democratic Liberal Party (Sodelpa) told its three MPs in the coalition — all of whom are Cabinet ministers — to vote against the bill.

‘Political showdown’
“The National Federation Party’s exit from the review process leaves the administration facing a high-stakes political showdown ahead of this week’s decisive reading of the draft legislation,” according to The Fiji Times.

The NFP believes the process is being rushed, while Sodelpa wants a total replacement of the 2013 Constitution — not just amendments to it — as well as the removal of immunity clauses protecting previous coup leaders.

During a consultation on the bill with Lau Province leaders on Friday, Rabuka said it was important to have the numbers for the third reading of the bill.

“Because that determines whether we keep going or [the constitution reform process] ends there.”

The prime minister has faced criticism from the opposition, rights groups and community advocates and leaders for rushing the process as Fiji is scheduled to hold an election on or before 6 February 2027 at the latest.

Last week, Mahendra Chaudhry, Fiji’s first and only prime minister of Indian descent, warned that the island nation was “worse off today than we were at independence” and that its political leadership had its priorities wrong.

But Rabuka has continuously defended the process, stating that he has a responsibility to review and amend the 2013 Constitution and “that’s what we’re going for”.