Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's coalition government is fracturing ahead of the crucial third reading of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, with two minor coalition partners instructing their members of parliament to vote against the legislation ahead of a proposed national referendum on 9 December.
The National Federation Party (NFP) has withdrawn from the special parliamentary committee reviewing the bill and declared it would not vote in favour of the legislation, saying it believes the process is being rushed. The Social Democratic Liberal Party (Sodelpa) has told its three MPs in the coalition, all of whom are Cabinet ministers, to vote against the bill. Sodelpa instead wants a total replacement of the 2013 Constitution and the removal of immunity clauses protecting former coup leaders.
The legislation would amend Fiji's 2013 Constitution. Rabuka had previously downplayed tensions in the coalition after prematurely announcing the referendum date. According to The Fiji Times, the NFP's exit leaves the government facing a "high-stakes political showdown ahead of this week's decisive reading of the draft legislation."
Rabuka has promised to press on with tabling the bill when parliament resumes on Monday. During a consultation with Lau Province leaders, he stressed the importance of the third reading, saying "Because that determines whether we keep going or [the constitution reform process] ends there." He faces criticism from the opposition, rights groups and community leaders for the accelerated timeline, particularly as Fiji is scheduled to hold an election on or before 6 February 2027.
Last week, former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, Fiji's first and only prime minister of Indian descent, warned that the island nation was "worse off today than we were at independence" and that its political leadership had its priorities wrong. Rabuka has defended the process, stating he has a responsibility to review and amend the constitution and "that's what we're going for."
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The fate of the constitutional reform bill will determine the stability of Rabuka's government and could trigger an early election.
- The dispute over immunity clauses for past coup leaders has reopened deep divisions in Fijian society over the nation's political history and identity.
- With a general election due by February 2027, the parliamentary crisis adds a volatile new element to Fiji's political landscape.
Background
Sitiveni Rabuka became prime minister in December 2022, leading a coalition government that relied on support from the NFP and Sodelpa. The 2013 Constitution has been a source of political debate, and Rabuka has made its reform a central policy of his government.
Key Perspectives
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka: Determined to press ahead with the third reading, arguing he has a responsibility to review the constitution and that the vote will decide whether the reform process continues.
National Federation Party: Opposes the bill on the grounds that the process is being rushed.
Social Democratic Liberal Party: Wants a complete replacement of the 2013 Constitution, including the removal of immunity for former coup leaders.
Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry: Has warned that Fiji is "worse off today than we were at independence" and that the government's priorities are misplaced.
Opposition and rights groups: Have criticised the government for rushing the process with an election approaching.
What to Watch
- The outcome of the third reading vote in parliament this week and whether Rabuka can secure the numbers to proceed.
- The continued viability of the coalition government following the defection of its minor partners.
- Whether the proposed national referendum on 9 December goes ahead or the constitutional reform process is abandoned.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedRabuka is under pressure ahead of a vote on constitutional reform.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Fijian PM Rabuka under pressure ahead of crucial vote on constitutional reform.”
- SupportedTwo coalition parties have instructed MPs to vote against the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “two of its minor partners, whose support was key to his forming a government in December 2022, have instructed their members of parliament to vote against the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026”
- SupportedRabuka's coalition government is falling apart ahead of the bill's crucial third reading.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's coalition government is falling apart ahead of the crucial third reading of a major bill to change the country's 2013 Constitution.”
- SupportedThe vote is expected later this week ahead of a proposed national referendum on 9 December.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “vote against the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 later this week. Rabuka has promised to press on with tabling the bill when parliament resumes on Monday for a vote from lawmakers to get it over the line for a proposed national referendum on 9 December.”
- SupportedThe NFP withdrew from the special parliamentary committee, said it would not vote in favour of the bill, and believes the process is being rushed.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “the National Federation Party (NFP) withdrew from the special parliamentary committee led by Rabuka, and declared that the party would not be voting in favour of the bill. ... The NFP believes the process is being rushed”
- SupportedSodelpa told its three coalition MPs, all Cabinet ministers, to vote against the bill.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “the Social Democratic Liberal Party (Sodelpa) told its three MPs in the coalition - all of whom are Cabinet ministers - to vote against the bill.”
- SupportedSodelpa wants a total replacement of the 2013 Constitution and the removal of immunity clauses protecting previous coup leaders.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Sodelpa wants a total replacement of the 2013 Constitution - not just amendments to it - as well as the removal of immunity clauses protecting previous coup leaders.”
- SupportedThe Fiji Times described the NFP's exit as leaving the administration facing a “high-stakes political showdown ahead of this week's decisive reading of the draft legislation.”RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “"The National Federation Party's exit from the review process leaves the administration facing a high-stakes political showdown ahead of this week's decisive reading of the draft legislation," according to The Fiji Times .”
- SupportedRabuka said at a consultation with Lau Province leaders that the third reading would determine whether the process continued or ended.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “During a consultation on the bill with Lau Province leaders on Friday, Rabuka said it was important to have the numbers for the third reading of the bill. "Because that determines whether we keep going or [the constitution reform process] ends there."”
- SupportedRabuka promised to press on with tabling the bill when parliament resumes on Monday.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Rabuka has promised to press on with tabling the bill when parliament resumes on Monday”
- SupportedChaudhry warned that Fiji was “worse off today than we were at independence” and that its political leadership had its priorities wrong.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Last week, Mahendra Chaudhry, Fiji's first and only prime minister of Indian descent, warned that the island nation was "worse off today than we were at independence" and that its political leadership had its priorities wrong.”
- SupportedRabuka said he has a responsibility to review and amend the constitution and “that's what we're going for.”RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “stating that he has a responsibility to review and amend the 2013 Constitution and "that's what we're going for".”