Next Fijian general election
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Use Australian English|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox election
| country = Fiji
| type = parliamentary
| ongoing = yes
| previous_election = 2022 Fijian general election
| previous_year = 2022
| next_election =
| next_year =
| seats_for_election = All 55 seats in Parliament
| majority_seats = 28
| election_date = No later than 2026
| image1 = Sitiveni Rabuka PIF 2023.jpg
| leader1 = Sitiveni Rabuka
| party1 = People's Alliance (Fiji)
| last_election1 = 35.82%, 21 seats
| seats_before1 = 21
| seats_needed1 = {{increase}} 7
| image2 = Biman Prasad 2023.jpg
| leader2 = Biman Prasad
| party2 = National Federation Party
| last_election2 = 8.89%, 5 seats
| seats_before2 = 5
| seats_needed2 = {{increase}} 23
| image3 = Aseri Radrodro 2016.jpg
| leader3 = Aseri Radrodro
| party3 = Social Democratic Liberal Party
| last_election3 = 5.14%, 3 seats
| seats_before3 = 3
| seats_needed3 = {{increase}} 25
| title = Prime Minister
| posttitle = Subsequent Prime Minister
| before_election = Sitiveni Rabuka
| before_party = People's Alliance
| after_election =
| after_party =
}}{{Politics of Fiji}}
General elections will be held in Fiji by 2026 to elect members of the eighth Parliament under the 2013 constitution.
Background
The 2022 general elections resulted in a hung parliament. Although FijiFirst emerged as the largest party, a coalition government was formed by the People's Alliance (led by Sitiveni Rabuka) with the National Federation Party and the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA).{{Cite web |date=2022-12-24 |title=Rabuka sworn in as Fiji prime minister after close election |url=https://apnews.com/article/fiji-frank-bainimarama-a594a6f05697f2c847478cccef8bac9d |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}} This coalition has also began somewhat friendly relations with other parties such as the Fiji Labour Party, which signed a memorandum of understanding with the Freedom Alliance and the Unity Party.{{Cite web |last=Fijivillage |title=FLP, Freedom Alliance and Unity Fiji sign MOU to work together |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/FLP-Freedom-Alliance-and-Unity-Fiji-sign-MOU-to-work-together-8xr5f4/ |access-date=2023-02-28 |website=www.fijivillage.com |language=en}}
Following the coalition's victory, members from all three parties were given ministerial positions in the Cabinet. Due to this, there are three Deputy Prime Ministers; Manoa Kamikamica (People's Alliance), Biman Prasad (NFP) and Bill Gavoka (SODELPA).
On 17 February 2023, Bainimarama was suspended from Parliament for three years after making offensive comments about President Wiliame Katonivere and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, along with making seditious statements in breach of standing orders.{{cite web |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Bainimarama-suspended-from-parliament-for-3-years-5fx48r/ |title=Bainimarama suspended from parliament for 3 years |publisher=Fiji Village |date=17 February 2023 |access-date=17 February 2023}} On 8 March 2023, he resigned from Parliament and as Opposition Leader, being arrested and charged with breach of office the next day.{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-09/former-fiji-prime-minister-frank-bainimarama-charged/102069086 |title=Fiji's former prime minister Frank Bainimarama charged with abuse of office, to spend the night in custody |publisher=ABC News |date=9 March 2023 |access-date=12 April 2023}} He was replaced as Opposition Leader by Inia Seruiratu,{{cite web |url=https://fijisun.com.fj/2023/03/09/inia-seruiratu-to-lead-opposition-to-keep-government-in-check/ |title=Inia Seruiratu To Lead Opposition To 'Keep Government In Check' |publisher=Fiji Sun |date=9 March 2023 |access-date=12 April 2023}} but remained party leader.{{cite news |last1=Kumar |first1=Kreetika |title=Bainimarama remains Party Leader |url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/bainimarama-remains-party-leader/ |access-date=9 May 2024 |work=Fijian Broadcasting Corporation |date=9 May 2024}}
On 7 June 2023, it was revealed that the FijiFirst party would be deregistered if they failed to proceed with submitting their audited accounts to the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) by 15 July 2023. Members of the party would also be unable to attended the next sitting of Parliament if their accounts are not submitted to the FEO by 15 June 2023. If the seats of these members are vacant, a by-election would be held.{{cite web | url=https://www.fijitimes.com/its-up-to-the-party-fijian-elections-office-on-audited-reports/ | title=It's up to the party | Fijian Elections Office on audited reports | date=6 June 2023 }}
On 14 March 2024 the High Court of Fiji convicted Bainimarama of attempting to pervert the course of justice.{{cite web |date=14 March 2024 |title=Fiji chief justice overturns not guilty verdict in Frank Bainimarama and Sitiveni Qiliho case |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/511711/fiji-chief-justice-overturns-not-guilty-verdict-in-frank-bainimarama-and-sitiveni-qiliho-case |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314035444/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/511711/fiji-chief-justice-overturns-not-guilty-verdict-in-frank-bainimarama-and-sitiveni-qiliho-case |archive-date=14 March 2024 |access-date=14 March 2024 |publisher=RNZ }} On 9 May 2024 he was sentenced to one year in prison.{{cite web |date=9 May 2024 |title=Bainimarama sentenced to 1 year in prison while Qiliho sentenced to 2 years imprisonment |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Bainimarama-sentenced-to-1-year-in-prison-854frx/#lvygwbuzcthij8v3zbg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509000618/https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Bainimarama-sentenced-to-1-year-in-prison-854frx/#lvygwbuzcthij8v3zbg |archive-date=9 May 2024 |access-date=9 May 2024 |publisher=Fiji Village}}{{Cite news |last=McGuirk |first=Rod |date=9 May 2024 |title=Fiji's ex-leader, Frank Bainimarama, sentenced to prison for interfering in police investigation |url=https://apnews.com/article/fiji-bainimarama-prime-minister-prison-7f0d406b0b63da34798ab3638200e2b6 |access-date=9 May 2024 |work=Associated Press}}
Notes
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