THE Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) and The People’s Alliance party (PAP) are at odds over the proposed Constitution Amendment Bill 2026, with both parties questioning each other’s commitment to constitutional reform.
The dispute follows a statement by PAP general secretary Sila Balawa, who questioned SODELPA’s decision to withhold support for Bill 32 despite campaigning for constitutional change in the 2014, 2018 and 2022 general elections.
Mr Balawa argued that the Coalition Government lacked the parliamentary numbers to amend the Constitution in its early years but now had the support needed to pass the Bill.
“SODELPA has a responsibility to explain to its supporters why it was opposing the Bill in its current form,” he said.
However, SODELPA has rejected PAP’s criticism, accusing the party of pushing a Cabinet-drafted Bill that failed to “adequately protect iTaukei interests” and “traditional institutions”.
In a statement, SODELPA said it would not support the Bill at its third reading in its current form, citing concerns over indigenous mineral rights, the Bose Levu Vakaturaga and immunity provisions.
The party also criticised provisions it said could allow Parliament’s term to be extended by up to 12 months during a national crisis.
“PAP now tries to justify its actions by claiming that bringing in eleven former FijiFirst MPs (G11) was the only way to meet parliamentary numbers under the Supreme Court’s ruling,” SODELPA said.
“This is a false narrative. Bringing in the G11 was a political choice by PAP, to try and undermine SODELPA’s influence in the Coalition Government.”
It also claimed that promises made when the coalition was formed, including an agreement concerning the Presidency, had not been fulfilled.
While PAP maintains that the numbers are now available to advance reform, SODELPA insists that parliamentary support alone does not make the proposed changes acceptable.
