Prime Minister of Fiji

Description of the office

As a former British colony, Fiji has largely adopted British political models and follows the Westminster, or Cabinet, system of government, in which the executive branch of government is responsible to the legislature. Under the 2013 Constitution, the prime minister is the leader of the political party which has won more than half of the total number of seats in Parliament. If no such party exist, the Parliament elects the prime minister.

The prime minister of Fiji is technically the "first among equals," whose vote in meetings of the Cabinet carries no greater weight than that of any other minister. In practice, the prime minister dominates the government. Other ministers are appointed by the prime minister.

History of the office

Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara was appointed Fiji's first prime minister on 10 October 1970, when Fiji attained its independence from Britain. Mara previously served as Fiji's first and only chief minister, from 20 September 1967 (while Fiji still was a British colony). Mara's first term as prime minister lasted until 13 April 1987. He returned to the office for the second term on 5 December 1987, serving until 2 June 1992. As of 2014, Mara is the longest-serving prime minister of Fiji.

List of prime ministers of Fiji (1970–present)

|- style="text-align:center;" ! colspan=10| Prime Ministers of the Dominion of Fiji |- style="text-align:center;" |- style="text-align:center;" ! colspan=10| Prime Ministers of the Republic of Fiji |- style="text-align:center;"

Timeline

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bar:Mara from: 10/10/1970 till: 13/04/1987 color:ap from: 05/12/1987 till: 02/06/1992 color:ind text:"Kamisese Mara" bar:Bavadra from: 13/04/1987 till: 14/05/1987 color:flp text:"Timoci Bavadra" bar:Rabuka from: 02/06/1992 till: 19/05/1999 color:svt from: 24/12/2022 till: $today color:pa text:"Sitiveni Rabuka" bar:Chaudhry from: 19/05/1999 till: 27/05/2000 color:flp text:"Mahendra Chaudhry" bar:Momoedonu from: 27/05/2000 till: 27/05/2000 color:flp from: 14/03/2001 till: 16/03/2001 color:flp text:"Tevita Momoedonu" bar:Qarase from: 04/07/2000 till: 14/03/2001 color:ind from: 16/03/2001 till: 05/12/2006 color:sdl text:"Laisenia Qarase" bar:Senilagakali from: 05/12/2006 till: 04/01/2007 color:ind text:"Jona Senilagakali" bar:Bainimarama from: 05/01/2007 till: 22/09/2014 color:mil from: 22/09/2014 till: 24/12/2022 color:ff text:"Frank Bainimarama"

Notes

References

References

1. (29 December 2022). "Office of the Prime Minister Directory". Office of the Prime Minister.
2. (18 September 2024). "Politicalsalaries.com".
3. (5 December 2006). "Military now in charge in Fiji". Fiji Times.
4. [https://web.archive.org/web/20090412000319/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/04/10/2540501.htm?section=world "Fiji's Bainimarama steps down as PM"], Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 10 April 2009
5. [http://www.fiji.gov.fj/publish/page_14685.shtml "Commodore Bainimarama sworn in as Prime Minister"] {{webarchive. link. (15 April 2009 , Fiji government, 11 April 2009)