Kingmakers of the coalition Government may have jumped the gun when their efforts to deflect to FijiFirst was unfoiled.  

The move could be the end of the party, a seasoned civil servant and academic pointed out.  

The People’s Coalition Government is made up of 21 The People’s Alliance Members of Parliament, five National Federation Party, and three SODELPA MPs.  

The FijiFirst party has 26 MPs as the parliamentary Opposition. University of Fiji lecturer, Jioji Kotobalavu, called on SODELPA to learn from our political past.

Drawing from past experiences, he reminded SODELPA of a 1994 breakaway group that voted against the government’s annual budget appropriation; the result, a defeated National Budget, and a subsequent win in a snap-election that favoured Mr Rabuka’s party.  

“Prime Minister Rabuka immediately advised the President to dissolve Parliament, and to issue the necessary writs for the holding of fresh general election,” he said.  

“General election duly held early 1995; Prime Minister Rabuka and his SVT Party decisively won the election with a new four-year term.”  

From this historical precedent, it would clearly be in SODELPA’s own interest to tread very carefully with its threat to the People’s Coalition Government, Mr Kotobalavu said.  

“If SODELPA is not careful, its departure from the People’s Coalition will be the shortest and quickest way to its political oblivion,” he said.  

Mr Rabuka has set up the Consultative Committee of the three coalition partners, comprising the three Deputy Prime Ministers, each drawn from the three partner parties.  

“SODELPA should learn to make use of this committee. Issuing political ultimatums never works in any situation,” Mr Kotobalavu said.  

In a turn of events, SODELPA withdrew its ultimatum against The People’s Alliance, citing Fiji Sun’s trial by media an effort to alert other coalition parties.  

A SODELPA party statement on Friday said it would improve its communication channels with its coalition members in efforts to meet its demands.  

“SODELPA has always prioritised a fair and inclusive approach to party operations, and this initiative reaffirms its dedication to these principles,” the party said.  

It will appoint one of its own to negotiate party submissions to the Government for appointments of heads of mission role, five of which it wanted.  

“In this new process, SODELPA’s appointed head of mission candidates were interviewed earlier this week,” the party said.  

“SODELPA is taking a proactive stance in enhancing communication and collaboration within its organizational structure.  

“The focal person, as determined by the authorised party officers, will act as a liaison to streamline the process and ensure that the party’s submissions are consistent and coherent.” 

Story By: inoke.rabonu@fijisun.com.fj