Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka postponed presentation of the committee report on constitutional amendments to a later parliamentary sitting. He said more time was needed for public submissions and preparation. The delay follows opposition from coalition partner Biman Prasad’s party, with the government needing a two-thirds majority to advance the bill ahead of the next election.
Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka told parliament on Monday that the committee reviewing the Constitution Amendment Bill would present its report at a later sitting. He changed his plan to advance the legislation during the current week, without giving a definite new date. Rabuka said the extension would allow more public submissions and give parliamentary staff time to collect and compile them.[1], [2]
Rabuka also replaced Biman Prasad, leader of coalition partner National Federation Party, on the special committee. Prasad had announced on Saturday that his party would vote against the bill. He said he would no longer take part in the committee or sign its report, arguing that constitutional legitimacy should not be sacrificed for political expediency. Objections from his party and the Social Democratic Liberal Party concerned the process as well as the proposed constitutional text, complicating the government’s search for votes.[1]
The bill requires a two-thirds majority at its third reading. After two members died, parliament has 53 members rather than its original 55, making the threshold at least 36 votes. The postponement also puts Rabuka’s previously announced December 9 referendum timetable in doubt. Constitutional reform is proceeding alongside preparations for the next general election, which must be held by February 6, 2027. Rabuka had previously described the two processes as running together; an election day has not yet been announced.[1]
