The SODELPA Management Board has looked at the coalition government proposals submitted by the People’s Alliance/National Federation Party and the FijiFirst Party however they have asked the negotiation team led by Anare Jale to go back to the parties and relook at some of the aspects of their offer.
Speaking after the management board meeting today, SODELPA Leader Viliame Gavoka says they will reconvene at 2pm this Wednesday.
Gavoka says the offers were well received and it was a very fruitful meeting today.
He stresses that they fully understand and appreciate the challenges that is with SODELPA to decide how the country will be governed in the next 4 years.
Gavoka says the negotiation team started having meetings with FijiFirst and People’s Alliance over the weekend, and a meeting was also held with NFP yesterday.
Proposals and counter proposals were then made. SODELPA is now the kingmaker as they have the 3 crucial seats to either form a coalition government with the People’s Alliance/NFP who have 26 seats in total or the FijiFirst who also have 26 seats.
To form government, a coalition needs 28 seats or more. According to section 67 of the Fijian Constitution, after a general election of members of Parliament, the Parliament shall be summoned to meet by the President no later than 14 days after the announcement of the results of the general election.
At the first meeting, the agenda of business shall include swearing-in of members, presided over by the Secretary-General to Parliament; the election and swearing-in of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker; in the event that the Prime Minister has not assumed office, the appointment of the Prime Minister by the members of Parliament; and the election of the Leader of the Opposition, presided over by the Speaker.
