PRIME Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says he will continue trying to convince Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) to support the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, despite the party maintaining this week that it will “not compromise its principles”.
Mr Rabuka said this after yesterday’s meeting of the Special Parliamentary Committee on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, where members discussed progress and adjusted the program to allow more time for public consultation.
“Hopefully we will convince them to vote because by the time we get to the vote they will have had the proof that we have listened to their concerns,” Mr Rabuka said.
He confirmed the National Federation Party (NFP) was not represented on the committee, while SODELPA remained a member.
He said the committee had reviewed the additional work required and discussed the next steps for the coming weeks.
“We are giving more time to the people and more time for those that are going to be writing and sending in their written submissions.”
This week SODELPA leader Aseri Radrodro said his party would not abandon its principles just to maintain its place in the Coalition Government.
Last week he told a Fiji Media Association Townhall Forum SODELPA wanted the 2013 Fiji Constitution completely removed rather than amended, and would vote against the Amendment Bill.
In a statement issued this week, after the PM said Coalition partners face losing their Cabinet positions if they voted against the proposed Bill, Mr Radrodro said the party had formally written to Mr Rabuka last week, outlining its concerns about the Bill in its current form.
“Our commitment to the Coalition Government must never be confused with unquestioning compliance,” Mr Radrodro said.
“Disagreement is not disloyalty. Independent judgement is not insubordination.”
Mr Radrodro said a coalition must be built on mutual respect, consultation and recognition of differing opinions.
“We are in Government to serve, not merely to hold positions.”
