Not everything is clear-cut anymore, it seems. Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran is awaiting the final version of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 before deciding how she will vote.
She insists her decision will be guided by her conscience and what she believes is best for the country.
Ms Kiran, a member of Coalition partner the National Federation Party (NFP), faces a dilemma that adds another layer of complexity to the political scenarios unfolding around us.
Her party has already directed its members to vote against the third reading of the Constitution Amendment Bill.
Against that backdrop, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has warned that NFP and SODELPA ministers who vote against the Bill at its third reading will have to step down.
In saying that, Ms Kiran appears to have accepted that whichever way she votes, she could lose her ministerial position.
She has indicated that her ministerial future is already uncertain, regardless of the position she takes.
Her priority, she says, is to examine the final Bill and determine whether it adequately protects the rights of the majority and minority, while contributing to nation-building.
Only then will she make her decision.
She wants to be certain her vote reflects her personal convictions rather than pressure from competing political interests.
Making a decision before Parliament receives the final version of the legislation, she says, would be premature.
Ministers in the Coalition Government caught between the Prime Minister’s ultimatum and their respective party positions are in a difficult position right now.
The Prime Minister has the authority to dismiss them from Cabinet, although they could retain their positions as Members of Parliament.
However, their parties could also approach the Speaker, arguing they have breached party directives.
That could put their parliamentary positions at risk, with the potential loss of their ministerial portfolios.
The Prime Minister’s power to dismiss ministers adds another dimension to an already complicated situation.
So, now we wait.
It makes for some intense political moments and anticipation.
However this unfolds, what should matter is that the nation deserves clarity, not political brinkmanship.
As MPs prepare to make their positions known, the big question remains whether the Bill will survive its third reading and proceed to a referendum, or whether disagreements will bring the exercise to a halt.
In the face of that, the Prime Minister says he remains open to discussions and efforts to secure SODELPA’s support for the Bill.
Whatever happens, we cannot afford to lose sight of the bigger picture.
Constitutional reform must strengthen democracy, protect our rights and restore confidence in our institutions.
We say that is the responsibility Parliament must keep in sight.
