Snap elections can take place if the govt cannot sort out the pay mess - Prof. Steven Ratuva

Snap elections can take place if the Coalition Government cannot sort out it's mess.

This has been highlighted by the Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific, Professor Steven Ratuva when he was asked by fijivillage News on what is his comments regarding the pay increase chaos for the President, Speaker of the Parliament, Leader of the Opposition, members of the cabinet and parliament.

Professor Ratuva says a snap election can be done to clean the political space and reset the process to make sure that they can have a new start.

He also says that public consultation should have come first so that the public can voice their ideas on such decisions.

The Pro Vice-Chancellor says Fiji is going through a very difficult socio-economic situation with workers crying out for more pay yet the parliamentarians are trying to increase their pay.

He further says a little bit of streamlining of the remuneration for parliamentarians needs to take place whereby an independent remuneration entity can do that. Professor Ratuva further says the government needs to be more transparent with some integrity because what has happened now is the result of a lack of consultation and lack of the process not being transparent enough in terms of having an independent entity to determine the salary.

He adds to some extent the People’s Alliance Party and the National Federation Party need to re-look at how they can manage the situation by looking inward and can ensure stability.