National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad has ruled out any pre-election agreements or political pacts with other parties ahead of the next general election, while reaffirming the party’s commitment to completing its term in government as part of the current coalition.
Speaking at the NFP Working Committee meeting in Rakiraki on Saturday, Prof Prasad said a recent Management Board decision would not affect the party’s existing coalition arrangements with the People’s Alliance and SODELPA.
“I want to make this very clear, the Management Board’s decision does not in any way impact the understanding and the memorandum of understanding with the People’s Alliance, as well as the coalition agreement,” he said.
Prof Prasad said the NFP would remain committed to the coalition government until the end of its term.
“We will continue to the end of the term of this government as a coalition.”
However, he made it clear that under Fiji’s current electoral system, each political party would contest the next election independently.
“Under the current electoral system, every party will contest the polls on their own.”
While ruling out pre-election arrangements, Prof Prasad said the NFP aimed to play a more influential role in any post-election coalition negotiations.
“It is our objective to ensure that we have an inclusive government, by the people, for the people, like what we have now.”
He added: “We want to be a leading force post-election in any post-election arrangement that we are going to enter.”
Prof Prasad also used the meeting to defend the Coalition Government’s record since taking office in December 2022, arguing that it had transformed Fiji’s political landscape despite facing criticism and setbacks.
“Despite the many criticisms, despite some of the failures, missteps, side steps, this Coalition Government, with the very active participation of the National Federation Party, has changed the practice of politics in this country.”
He pointed to what he described as improvements in democratic freedoms and media independence under the current administration.
“We now have real democracy. We now have real media freedom.”
As an example, Prof Prasad highlighted one of the first decisions made by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka after taking office.
“The first act by the government, by Prime Minister Rabuka, was to lift the ban on Professor Brij Lal and his wife Padma, so that she could bring his ashes back to Fiji.”
The comments come as political parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2026 General Election, with coalition arrangements expected to be a key issue in the lead-up to the polls.
