8 Jul 2002

Three Fiji political parties expected to merge soon

10:25 am on 8 July 2002

The Fijian Political Party, the SVT which ruled Fiji for most of the 1990s is to be disbanded to make way for the merger of three political parties.

The Fiji Sun reports the SVT, the Fijian Association Party and the New Labour Unity Party are expected to merge as early as next week to form the Fiji Democratic Party.

The SVT and the FAP did not win any seats in the last general election.

A leading member of the SVT, Filipe Bole, has confirmed discussions are under way for the formation of the new party.

Mr Bole says the disbanding of the SVT would have to be put to its national convention next month for approval.

Fijian Association party stalwart and deposed health minister, Dr Isimeli Cokanasiga, who has been instrumental in the merger talks, says New Labour would not be joining the new party straight away.

This is because the party has to sort out its internal problems as one of its two MPs, Kenneth Zinck, is a government minister, while another, Ofa Swann, is the deputy opposition leader.