Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s intention of forming a government of national unity (GNU) will have direct and serious consequences for the Coalition Government, says a former permanent secretary in the prime minister’s office, Jioji Kotobalavu.
He said if the FijiFirst party MPs decide to cross the floor and join the Coalition Government to form a GNU, then Mr Rabuka might have to offer them ministerial positions which would have direct and serious consequences for his administration.
“Ministers and assistant ministers in the Coalition Government will, without doubt, be very upset if they are to forego their positions to make way for a GNU,” Mr Kotobalavu said.
He said Mr Rabuka would have to tread carefully in pursuing the GNU concept.
“One obvious consideration exercising his mind is the imperative need to make necessary amendments to the 2013 Constitution,” Mr Kotobalavu said.
“A very good example of this is the system of constituency representation in Parliament.
“Under the 2013 Constitution, all current 56 MPs are elected from a single Fiji-wide constituency.
“So, the people do not know who their MPs are, and the MPs are compelled to focus their public service to individuals and communities who voted for them, rather than serving everyone in a particular geographical area.
“What is, therefore, critically needed is to introduce a system of representation in Parliament based on a mix of single member geographical constituencies, and regional members to represent the four (Western, Central, Northern and Eastern) Government administration divisions.
“The 2013 Constitution stipulates that amending any of its provisions requires firstly the affirmative vote of at least 75 per cent of all MPs, and then in a public plebiscite or referendum the affirmative vote of at least 75 per cent of actual valid votes cast.”
