Social Democratic Liberal Party

{{Infobox political party

| name = Social Democratic Liberal Party

| native_name = सामाजिक लोकतांत्रिक उदार पार्टी

| logo = Logo of the Social Democratic Liberal Party.svg

| abbreviation = SODELPA

| colorcode = {{party color|Social Democratic Liberal Party}}

| chairperson =

| president = Ratu Epenisa Cakobau{{cite web |url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/politics/sodelpa-appoints-president-and-vice-presidents/|title=SODELPA appoints president and vice presidents|publisher=FBC |access-date=2020-07-25}}

| general_secretary = Viliame Takayawa

| spokesperson =

| founders = Tupeni Baba
Teimumu Kepa

| slogan =

| founded = {{Start date|2013|01}}

| dissolved =

| merger =

| split =

| predecessor = Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua

| merged =

| successor =

| headquarters = 66 McGregor Street, Suva

| newspaper =

| student_wing =

| womens_wing = SODELPA Women{{Cite web |title=SODELPA Women |url=https://sodelpa.org/sodelpa-women/ |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=Social Democratic Liberal Party}}

| youth_wing = Young SODELPA{{Cite web |title=Young SODELPA |url=https://sodelpa.org/young-sodelpa/ |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=Social Democratic Liberal Party}}

| membership_year =

| membership =

| ideology = {{ubl|class=nowrap|

|Conservatism

|Decentralisation{{cite news|newspaper=Fiji Times|title=Gavoka hits out at ministry|url=https://www.fijitimes.com/gavoka-hits-out-at-ministry/|access-date=2021-09-02}}

|Factions:

|Christian right

|Fijian nationalism{{cite web|last=Ratuva|first=Steven|url=http://pidp.org/pireport/2014/October/10-17-an.htm|title=A Symbol Of Hope – Reflections On The Fiji Election|website=Pacific Islands Report|date=2014-10-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606164956/http://pidp.org/pireport/2014/October/10-17-an.htm|archive-date=2016-06-06}}

}}

| position = Centre-right to right-wing{{Cite web |date=2022-12-20 |title=Fiji's PM ousted after kingmaking coalition vote |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-64037094 |access-date=2022-12-24 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

| religion =

| international =

| european =

| europarl =

| affiliation1_title =

| affiliation1 =

| colours = {{Colour box|{{party colour|Social Democratic Liberal Party}}}} Blue

| blank1_title = Parliament of Fiji

| blank1 = {{Composition bar|3|55|{{party color|Social Democratic Liberal Party}}}}

| blank2_title =

| blank2 =

| symbol =

| country = Fiji

| website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20230506024003/http://www.sodelpa.org/ sodelpa.org] (archived)

}}

The Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) is a Fijian political party. The party was formed in January 2013 after the dissolution of the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua.

History

= Party foundation =

In January 2013 Fiji's military regime promulgated new regulations governing the registration of political parties.{{cite web |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/south-pacific/8184406/Fiji-regime-cracks-down-on-political-parties |title=Fiji regime cracks down on political parties |publisher=Stuff |author=Michael Field |date=2013-01-16 |access-date=2013-01-28}} Among the new provisions was a requirement that all political parties be named in English rather than Fijian.{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=73429 |title=SDL says Fiji name change requirement is ridiculous |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2013-01-17 |access-date=2013-01-28}} In order to retain its acronym, the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) reformed as the Social Democratic Liberal Party.{{cite web |date=2013-01-25 |title=Fiji's main party dissolved in face of onerous decree |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=73594 |url-status=dead |access-date=2013-01-28 |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |archive-date=2013-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130129221604/http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=73594 }}{{cite web |author=Nasik Swami |date=2013-01-26 |title=SDL alive |url=http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=223452 |url-status=dead |access-date=2013-01-28 |publisher=Fiji Times |archive-date=2013-01-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128052947/http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=223452 }}{{Cite book |last=Tabaiwalu |first=Pio |url= |title=The People Have Spoken |publisher=Australian National University Press |year=2016 |editor-last=Ratuva |editor-first=Steven |pages=194 |chapter=The genesis of the Social Democratic Liberal Party: A struggle against the odds |jstor=j.ctt1bw1hc6.12 |isbn=9781760460013 |editor-last2=Lawson |editor-first2=Stephanie |chapter-url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1bw1hc6.12}} However, a subsequent amendment to the Political Parties Decree banned the use of the acronyms of former parties, forcing the party to change its acronym to 'SODELPA'.{{cite web |url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/fiji-sdl-party-changes-name-again-to-get-around-decree/1094002 |title=Fiji SDL Party changes name again to get around decree |publisher=Radio Australia |date=2013-02-26 |access-date=2014-09-24}}

The party was temporarily led by Tupeni Baba, but in March 2013 it unanimously selected former SDL Cabinet Minister Ro Teimumu Kepa as its first permanent leader.{{cite web |url=http://fijitoday.wordpress.com/2014/03/08/ro-teimumu-kepa-is-the-new-leader-of-sodelpa/ |title=Ro Teimumu Kepa is the new leader of SODELPA |publisher=Fiji Today |date=2014-03-07 |access-date=2014-09-24}}

The party applied for registration on 26 February 2013,{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=74278 |title=New Fiji party applies for registration |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2013-02-26 |access-date=2013-02-26}} and was registered on 3 May 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=75739 |title=Three of Fiji's political parties now registered |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2013-05-02 |access-date=2013-05-03}}{{cite web |url=http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=232812 |title=Green light for NFP, FLP and SODELPA |publisher=Fiji Times |date=2013-05-03 |access-date=2013-05-03}}

= 2014 elections =

The party contested the 2014 elections, naming a list of 45 candidates in June.{{cite web |url=http://fijione.tv/sodelpa-names-45-candidates/ |title=SODELPA names 45 candidates |author=Apisalome Rabo |publisher=Fiji One |date=2014-06-14 |access-date=2014-09-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402114753/http://fijione.tv/sodelpa-names-45-candidates/ |archive-date=2 April 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://www.cookislandsnews.com/item/47193-big-names-set-to-take-on-fiji-regime-at-elections/47193-big-names-set-to-take-on-fiji-regime-at-elections |title=Big names set to take on Fiji regime at elections |publisher=Cook Islands News |date=2014-06-16 |access-date=2014-09-24}} In July, it released its manifesto, promising to reduce poverty, restore the Great Council of Chiefs, and revive the Qoliqoli Bill, which had been stopped by the 2006 coup.{{cite web |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/250282/fiji%27s-sodelpa-promises-poverty-relief-in-manifesto |title=Fiji's Sodelpa promises poverty relief in manifesto |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2014-07-22 |access-date=2014-09-24}} The party gained 28.2 percent of the vote and 15 seats in Parliament.{{cite web |url=http://www.electionsfiji.gov.fj/2014-election-results/ |title=2014 Election Results |publisher=Fiji Elections Office |access-date=2014-09-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921200245/http://www.electionsfiji.gov.fj/2014-election-results/ |archive-date=2014-09-21 }} Following the election, party leader Teimumu Kepa became Leader of the Opposition.{{cite web |url=http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=281102 |title=Ro Teimumu is Leader of the Opposition |author=Nasik Swami |publisher=Fiji Times |date=2014-09-24 |access-date=2014-09-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924065842/http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=281102 |archive-date=2014-09-24 }}

In June 2016, Kepa announced that she was standing down as leader of SODELPA.{{cite web |date=2016-06-02 |title=Ro Teimumu to quit Fiji party leadership |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/305445/ro-teimumu-to-quit-fiji-party-leadership |access-date=2016-06-24 |publisher=RNZ International}} She was replaced by former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.{{cite web |date=2016-06-24 |title=Sitiveni Rabuka wins leadership of Fiji's SODELPA |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/307185/sitiveni-rabuka-wins-leadership-of-fiji's-sodelpa |access-date=2016-06-24 |publisher=RNZ International}}

= 2018 elections =

The party ran 51 candidates in the 2018 elections, seven of whom were women.{{cite web |date=2018-10-16 |title=Six political parties to contest Fijian elections |url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/368761/six-political-parties-to-contest-fijian-elections |access-date=2018-10-16 |publisher=RNZ }} It campaigned on a platform of restoring the 1997 constitution,{{cite web |author=Vilimaina Naqelevuki |date=2018-11-06 |title=2018 General Election: SODELPA to bring back 1997 Constitution if it wins |url=https://www.fijitimes.com/2018-general-election-sodelpa-to-bring-back-1997-constitution-if-it-wins/ |access-date=2018-11-20 |publisher=Fiji Times}} promising to restore the Great Council of Chiefs within a hundred days if elected, and to consider changing the electoral system to restore communal constituencies.{{cite web |date=2018-10-19 |title=Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs restored in 100 days under SODELPA - Rabuka |url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/368974/fiji-s-great-council-of-chiefs-restored-in-100-days-under-sodelpa-rabuka |access-date=2018-11-20 |publisher=RNZI}} The party won 39.85% of the vote, increasing its number of MPs from 15 to 21.{{cite web |author=Talebula Kate |date=2018-11-18 |title=2018 General Election: SODELPA secures 21 seats |url=https://www.fijitimes.com/2018-general-election-sodelpa-secures-21-seats/ |access-date=2018-11-18 |publisher=Fiji Times}}

= 2020 suspension and leadership =

On 26 May 2020, the party was suspended for 60 days for breaching the Political Parties Act. All appointees were declared null and void, and were given 60 days to rectify their issues or face deregistration. The registrar stated that the party's Vice President, Vijay Singh, is the only legitimate officeholder in the party.{{cite web |date=2020-05-26 |title=SODELPA suspended for 60 days for breach |url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/politics/sodelpa-suspended-for-60-days-for-breach/ |access-date=2020-05-26 |publisher=FBC}} The party's suspension was lifted on 29 June.{{cite web |date=2020-06-29 |title=Suspension of main opposition party Sodelpa lifted in Fiji |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/420107/suspension-of-main-opposition-party-sodelpa-lifted-in-fiji |access-date=2020-06-29 |publisher=RNZ }}

In November 2020 the party elected Viliame Gavoka as leader, replacing Sitiveni Rabuka.{{cite news |date=2020-11-27 |title=Fiji's main opposition party chooses a new leader |work=RNZ |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/431619/fiji-s-main-opposition-party-chooses-a-new-leader |access-date=2020-11-27}}

= 2022 elections =

The party contested the 2022 elections. On 30 April 2022 it announced an initial list of 28 candidates.{{cite web |date=2022-04-30 |title=Fiji elections: Sodelpa reveals initial candidates |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/466182/fiji-elections-sodelpa-reveals-initial-candidates |access-date=2022-04-30 |publisher=RNZ }} The party ran 54 candidates during the election and finished fourth, obtaining 5.14% of the vote and receiving 3 seats in parliament.{{cite web |date=2022-12-19 |title=Fiji Elections Office Official Results by Party: SODELPA |url=https://2022results.feo.org.fj/Home/PartyResults/3?Year=2022%20Official&percent=5.14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219083212/https://2022results.feo.org.fj/Home/PartyResults/3?Year=2022%20Official&percent=5.14 |archive-date=2022-12-19 |access-date=2022-12-19 |publisher=Fiji Elections Office}} As neither known electoral alliance received a majority of seats, the party received kingmaker status. On 18 December 2022, the party revealed its "non-negotiable" terms to enter into a coalition, and is in discussions with other parties.{{cite news |date=2022-12-19 |title=The last shall be first ... Fiji's king-maker party considering all options |work=RNZ |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/481025/the-last-shall-be-first-fiji-s-king-maker-party-considering-all-options |url-status=live |access-date=2022-12-20 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221220045423/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/481025/the-last-shall-be-first-fiji-s-king-maker-party-considering-all-options |archive-date=2022-12-20}} Once the final results were released, following SODELPA's constitution, Gavoka ceased to be the leader as the party did not obtain a parliamentary majority. General Secretary Lenaitasi Duru announced the role of party leader would remain vacant until SODELPA's annual general meeting in 2024.{{cite news |last1=Daucakacaka |first1=Jale |date=2022-12-20 |title=Gavoka no longer SODELPA leader |work=FBC |url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fijian-elections/gavoka-no-longer-sodelpa-leader/ |url-status=live |access-date=2022-12-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220014332/https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fijian-elections/gavoka-no-longer-sodelpa-leader/ |archive-date=2022-12-20}}

SODELPA announced its list of non-negotiable terms which included bringing back the Great Council of Chiefs, providing free tertiary education, forgiving student loans, and establishing an embassy in Jerusalem.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-18 |title=The last shall be first ... Fiji's king-maker party considering all options |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/481025/the-last-shall-be-first-fiji-s-king-maker-party-considering-all-options |access-date=2022-12-18 |website=RNZ |language=}}{{Cite news |date=2022-12-18 |title=Fiji election results finalised but no outright win for major parties |language= |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-18/fiji-election-results-out-but-no-clear-winner/101785528 |access-date=2022-12-18}}{{Cite web |last=Fijivillage |title=Our non-negotiables are like the iTaukei and education related policies in our manifesto – Duru |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Our-non-negotiables-are-like-the-iTaukei-and-education-related-policies-in-our-manifesto---Duru-xr845f/ |access-date=2022-12-18 |website=www.fijivillage.com}} SODELPA's youth wing demanded the party not form a government with FijiFirst. They also urged the party leadership to reconcile differences with Rabuka to bring Bainimarama's 16-year "dictatorial rule" to an end.{{Cite news |date=2022-12-19 |title=Sodelpa youth arm begs the party to rule out a coalition with 'dictator' Bainimarama |work=RNZ |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/481050/sodelpa-youth-arm-begs-party-to-rule-out-coalition-with-dictator-bainimarama |url-status=live |access-date=2022-12-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219012642/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/481050/sodelpa-youth-arm-begs-party-to-rule-out-coalition-with-dictator-bainimarama |archive-date=2022-12-19}} On 19 December, SODELPA's management board met to discuss and decide the party they would form a coalition with.{{Cite web |title=SODELPA begins board meeting |url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fijian-elections/sodelpa-begins-board-meeting/ |access-date=2022-12-19 |website=Fiji Broadcasting Corporation}} FijiVillage reported that some senior members of the management board pushed for a coalition with FijiFirst while others were against it.{{Cite web |last=Fijivillage |title=SODELPA Management Board meets to decide on whether the party will form a coalition government with the People's Alliance/NFP or the FijiFirst |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/SODELPA-Management-Board-meets-to-decide-on-whether-the-party-will-form-a-coalition-government-with-the-Peoples-AllianceNFP-or-the-FijiFirst-fx5r84/ |access-date=2022-12-19 |website=www.fijivillage.com}} Ultimately, no decision was made and the party's negotiating team was sent back to the two leading parties to further review some aspects of their offer.{{Cite web |title=SODELPA sends team back for negotiations |url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fijian-elections/sodelpa-sends-team-back-for-negotiation/ |access-date=2022-12-19 |website=Fiji Broadcasting Corporation}} A leaked letter from 18 December revealed that FijiFirst was offering ministerial portfolios to all three SODELPA members of parliament, but that SODELPA was intending to gain the post of deputy prime minister.{{Cite news |date=2022-12-20 |title=FijiFirst offers three ministerial roles, but Sodelpa wants deputy PM role |work=RNZ |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/481140/fijifirst-offers-three-ministerial-roles-but-sodelpa-wants-deputy-pm-role |url-status=live |access-date=2022-12-20 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221220033402/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/481140/fijifirst-offers-three-ministerial-roles-but-sodelpa-wants-deputy-pm-role |archive-date=2022-12-20}}

On 20 December, delegations from the two leading parties met with SODELPA's management board.{{Cite web |last=Fijivillage |title=The People's Alliance/NFP and SODELPA to form the next government |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Peoples-Alliance-makes-presentation-to-SODELPA-FijiFirst-up-next--85f4xr/ |access-date=2022-12-20 |website=www.fijivillage.com}} Negotiations concluded and SODELPA announced the formation of a coalition government with the People's Alliance and its coalition partner, the National Federation Party,{{Cite web |last=Fijivillage |title=The People's Alliance/NFP and SODELPA to form the next government |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/The-Peoples-AllianceNFP-and-SODELPA-to-form-the-next-government-xr5f48/ |access-date=2022-12-20 |website=www.fijivillage.com}} effectively ending FijiFirst's eight-year tenure and Bainimarama's 16-year premiership.{{Cite news |date=2022-12-20 |title=Fiji has a new coalition government |work=RNZ |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/481170/fiji-has-a-new-coalition-government |url-status=live |access-date=2022-12-20 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221220075444/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/481170/fiji-has-a-new-coalition-government |archive-date=2022-12-20}} The management board which consisted of 30 members voted in a secret ballot; 16 voted in favour of the opposition coalition while 14 voted for FijiFirst.{{Cite web |title=Fiji to have a new government |url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fijian-elections/fiji-to-have-a-new-government/ |access-date=2022-12-20 |website=Fiji Broadcasting Corporation}} The new coalition selected People's Alliance leader Sitiveni Rabuka as Prime Minister designate.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-20 |title=Fiji has a new coalition government; Rabuka to be PM |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/481170/fiji-has-a-new-coalition-government-rabuka-to-be-pm |access-date=2022-12-20 |website=RNZ |language=en-NZ}}{{Cite web |date=2022-12-20 |title=Fiji's Sitiveni Rabuka becomes new PM, dethroning Frank Bainimarama after nearly 16 years |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/south-pacific/300770546/fijis-sitiveni-rabuka-becomes-new-pm-dethroning-frank-bainimarama-after-nearly-16-years |access-date=2022-12-20 |publisher=Stuff }}

After the announcement, SODELPA's general secretary Duru resigned, claiming there was irregularities in the management board's vote and demanded that the result be declared null and void. He also wrote a letter to President Wiliame Katonivere to postpone the sitting of parliament until "issues were solved".{{Cite web |last=Fijivillage |title=Duru gets communication from President's Office |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Duru-gets-communication-from-Presidents-Office--4x58fr/ |access-date=2022-12-21 |website=www.fijivillage.com}}{{Cite web |date=2022-12-21 |title=Reports of 'anomalies' in Sodelpa vote to go with opposition parties |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/481207/reports-of-anomalies-in-sodelpa-vote-to-go-with-opposition-parties |access-date=2022-12-21 |website=RNZ |language=en-NZ}} Ultimately, the parliament sitting scheduled for 21 December was delayed as no announcement came from the president.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-21 |title=Fiji parliament delays sitting to elect prime minister |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/fiji-parliament-delays-sitting-elect-prime-minister-2022-12-21/ |access-date=2022-12-21 |publisher=Reuters}} On 21 December, the FijiFirst party refused to concede defeat; general secretary Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said it can only be called after the election of the prime minister by parliament.{{Cite web |last=Navitalai Naivalurua |date=2022-12-21 |title=FijiFirst accepts election result, but does not concede defeat |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/FijiFirst-accepts-election-result-but-does-not-concede-defeat-5xrf84/ |access-date=2022-12-21 |publisher=Fiji Village}} He also questioned the validity of the new coalition citing concerns raised previously by SODELPA's outgoing general secretary.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-21 |title=Nothing to concede – FijiFirst says election can only be decided in parliament |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/481243/nothing-to-concede-fijifirst-says-election-can-only-be-decided-in-parliament |access-date=2022-12-21 |website=RNZ |language=}}

Following communications between the elections supervisor and SODELPA's general secretary, the elections office announced that the decision made by the management board on 20 December was null and void. Some board members whose terms had expired were part of the meeting.{{Cite web |last=Fijivillage |title=SODELPA to have another management board meeting tomorrow - Koroisavou |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/SODELPA-to-have-another-management-board-meeting-on-Friday---Koroisavou-5f8rx4/ |access-date=2022-12-22 |website=www.fijivillage.com |language=en}} As a result, another board meeting was held on 23 December and this time, 13 members voted for the opposition coalition while 12 voted for FijiFirst.{{Cite web |last=Fijivillage |title=SODELPA decides to go into a coalition with People's Alliance and NFP |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/SODELPA-decides-to-go-into-a-coalition-with-Peoples-Alliance-and-NFP-5f8r4x/ |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=www.fijivillage.com |language=en}} The party's outgoing leader, Viliame Gavoka, said "Democracy had won; We went into it fully committed to ensuring that we have the best for this country. We believe and we have agreed on a way forward that benefits this country going forward."{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=A knife-edge election in Fiji sees power shift – and a chance to bring back real democracy |url=https://asiapacificreport.nz/2022/12/23/a-knife-edge-election-in-fiji-sees-power-shift-and-a-chance-to-bring-back-real-democracy/ |access-date=2022-12-24 |language=en}}

Ideology

SODELPA has been described as an Taukei ethno-nationalist party,{{cite book|author=Steven Ratuva|chapter=Shifting democracy: Electoral changes in Fiji|editor1=Steven Ratuva|editor2=Stephanie Lawson|title=The People Have Spoken: The 2014 Elections in Fiji|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9f8YDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA33|year=2016|publisher=ANU Press|isbn=978-1-76046-002-0|page=33}}{{cite book|author=Steven Ratuva|chapter=Shifting democracy: electoral changes in Fiji|editor1=Stephanie Lawson|editor2=Steven Ratuva|title=The People Have Spoken: The 2014 Elections in Fiji|publisher=ANU Press|year=2016|isbn=978-1-760-46002-0|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9f8YDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA33|page=33}} as well as conservative and protectionist, contrasting with the more secularist and reformist party FijiFirst.{{cite book|author=Steven Ratuva|chapter=Shifting democracy: electoral changes in Fiji|editor1=Stephanie Lawson|editor2=Steven Ratuva|title=The People Have Spoken: The 2014 Elections in Fiji|publisher=ANU Press|year=2016|isbn=978-1-760-46002-0|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9f8YDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA36|page=36}}

=Health=

The party supports the administration of COVID-19 vaccines.{{Cite web |last=Boila |first=Sainiani |date=2021-03-22 |title=SODELPA says the COVID-19 jab is crucial |url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/sodelpa-says-the-covid-19-jab-is-crucial/ |access-date=2023-03-06 |website=FBC News}}

=Indigenous people=

The party supported bringing back the Great Council of Chiefs, which was a condition of the coalition agreement between the People's Alliance, the NFP and SODELPA.{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Rashika |date=2022-12-30 |title=PA-NFP-SODELPA officially sign Coalition Agreement |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/PA-NFP-SODELPA-officially-sign-Coalition-Agreement-54x8rf/ |access-date=2023-03-06 |website=Fijivillage}}

=Social policy=

SODELPA opposes same-sex marriage.{{Cite web |last=Narayan |first=Vijay |date=2022-12-07 |title=SODELPA says no, never, to same sex marriage |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/SODELPA-says-no-never-to-same-sex-marriage-48frx5/ |access-date=2023-03-06 |website=Fijivillage}}