President of Fiji

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Fiji

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Fiji

Government Executive Executive Controller (acting President) Frank Bainimarama Vice-President (vacant) Interim Prime Minister Jona Senilagakali Cabinet Attorney-General Leader of the Opposition Legislative Parliament Senate House of Representatives Speaker Local government Municipal elections 2002 2005 Former institutions Queen of Fiji Governor Governor-General Chief Minister Executive Council Legislative Council Constitution Preamble 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Great Council of Chiefs Chairman, G.C.C. Ovini Bokini Political parties Electoral system Voting Constituencies Open Communal National Elections Parliamentary 1963 1966 1968 1972 March 1977 September 1977 1982 1987 1992 1994 1999 2001 2006 next Presidential 1992 1994 1999 2000 2001 2006 Foreign relations Diplomatic missions

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Fiji's Head of State is the President of the Republic of the Fiji Islands. He or she is appointed by the Great Council of Chiefs for a five-year term. The Great Council of Chiefs is constitutionally required to consult the Prime Minister, but this does not give the Prime Minister a veto, only the right to be consulted. Although not entirely a figurehead, the President's role in government is mostly ceremonial, but there are important reserve powers that may be exercised in the event of a crisis. In addition, the President is Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Within the chiefly hierarchy, however, the President holds a lower ranking than the Paramount Chief of Fiji, currently Elizabeth II, Ilisapeci-Na Radi ni Viti kei Peritania.

Contents 1 Presidential history 2 Interim Military Government 3 Presidents 4 Interim Military Government 5 President 6 Interim Military Government

[edit] Presidential history

The presidential office was established following two military coups in 1987 that led to the proclamation of a republic on October 7, and severed the 113-year link with the British and later Fijian Monarchy. Major-General Sitiveni Rabuka, who had masterminded the coups, formed an Interim Military Government with himself as its head. He did not, however, take the title of President, and on December 5 appointed Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, the last Governor-General, as the first President of the republic.

A civilian putsch instigated by George Speight led to another constitutional upheaval in 2000. President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara resigned on May 29 rather than abrogate the Constitution, as the Military, supported by the Supreme Court, had asked. (Whether or not his resignation was forced is currently (2005) the subject of a police investigation). Commodore Frank Bainimarama took power as Head of the Interim Military Government (as had Rabuka in 1987), until Ratu Josefa Iloilo was appointed President on 13 July.

[edit] Interim Military Government

Order	Head of the Interim Military Government	Term of office
1.	Major-General Sitiveni Rabuka	7 October 1987 - 5 December 1987

[edit] Presidents

Order	President	Term of office
1.	Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau	5 December 1987 - 15 December 1993
2.	Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara	15 December 1993 - 29 May 2000

[edit] Interim Military Government

Order	Head of the Interim Military Government	Term of office
2.	Commodore Frank Bainimarama	29 May 2000 - 13 July 2000

[edit] President

Order	President	Term of office
3.	Ratu Josefa Iloilo	13 July 2000 - 5 December 2006

[edit] Interim Military Government

Order	Head of the Interim Military Government	Term of office
3.	Commodore Frank Bainimarama	5 December 2006 - present