SODELPA Seeks Bargaining Chip in Govt Unity Talks

The Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) has a bargaining chip if talks surface for a government of national unity.

This follows revelation by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka last week after the FijiFirst leadership resignation and party termination of its Opposition Members of Parliament.

The recent rattling in the political corridor was triggered by the announcement of salary increases to ministers, parliamentarians, Speaker, Prime Minister and the President.

Mr Rabuka made his thoughts known on the possibility of a government of national unity given the political climate Fiji is facing.

Bargaining on voting to reform and review the 2013 Fijian Constitution is one alternative SODELPA is eyeing to uphold should it consider the government of national unity.

SODELPA general secretary Viliame Takayawa said that though the Opposition Chamber held "a critical arm of Parliament", their collective votes in Parliament still mastered majority of motions and issues.

Mr Takayawa indicated the approach to government of national unity guaranteed review of the Constitution, national reconciliation, solved drug issues and cooperation for growth across the floor of Parliament during votes.

"If we can have some sort of arrangements with the Opposition to collective vote - like how they voted for increase of their pay, to voting on the review of the Constitution," Mr Takayawa said.

"That's something SODELPA has been advocating about since 2014 - to review it, so it has no animosity to society."

The National Federation Party (NFP) said there were processes involved in considering a government of national unity.

The FijiFirst 26 Members of Parliament's futures are lying on blurry lines as the party is without party executives.

The party is also facing a deregistration notice from the Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa.

Her office has given the party until 4pm this Friday to polish their party constitution since it does not have legal processes of dealing with members' grievances.

The party is also lapping on a $701,180 debt as of last December and is directly in political jeopardy. Leader of Opposition Inia Seruiratu said they would not rush into considering such an approach.

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