SODELPA leader targets 2026 poll

New Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) leader, Aseri Radrodro, will ensure it gets more seats in Parliament in the 2026 General Election.

The party secured three seats in Parliament through the coalition Government.

Mr Radrodro, who was endorsed on Saturday during the party annual general meeting (AGM) reiterated that he will always be a party man.

More than 100 people attended the AGM.

"As the new party leader, I need to prepare the party for the 2026 General Election," he said.

"That is something that I need to concentrate on. This includes the preparation of the manifesto, finance and candidacy.

Members of the Fiji Nursing Association during their AGM at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva on April 20, 2024. Photo: Laiseana Nasiga

"SODELPA will always be for the people, so going forward, it will always ensure that service to the people is delivered."

Mr Radrodro said he would work towards bringing people of different ethnicities together.

He said SODELPA was for the people.

"There will always be people who will not agree, so it is hard work for us now to try and get them into our side as we prepare for the next election.

"We must stay together and be in unity as we prepare for 2026." Naitasiri paramount chief, Ratu Inoke Takiveitaki, while opening the meeting, was happy with the endorsement of the new party leader.

Leading up to the AGM, the party management board, in a letter, demanded that the Minister for Education, Civil Aviation and Tourism Viliame Gavoka, relinquish the position of Minister of Education and facilitate the reinstatement of Mr Radrodro.

Mr Radrodro was dismissed from Cabinet on January 22 for insubordination. Mr Gavoka has also supported Mr Radordro's appointment.

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