25 Jun 2016

Fiji opposition party respects leadership choice

1:32 pm on 25 June 2016

The leader of Fiji's National Federation Party, one of two parties in the parliamentary opposition grouping, says he respects the leadership choice by the larger opposition party SODELPA.

The leader of Fiji's opposition SODELPA party, Sitiveni Rabuka.

The leader of Fiji's opposition SODELPA party, Sitiveni Rabuka. Photo: AFP

The former Fiji prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka has been named in the top role today, replacing Ro Teimumu Kepa, who stepped down.

Mr Rabuka led two coups in 1987 and became prime minister in 1992, holding the role until 1999.

There were negative reactions from some high profile SODELPA members who threatened to leave in the wake of Mr Rabuka's victory.

But the leader of the NFP, Biman Prasad, said his party looked forward to a continued partnership with SODELPA and stressed the need for unity.

"The opposition faces battles at every step in freely engaging with the people of this country as well as in parliament as you know that our president was suspended, another member of SODELPA was suspended earlier. We have said very clearly that the suspension is highly disproportionate and unwarranted."