Manoa Kamikamica, left, Sitiveni Rabuka, middle, and Biman Prasad, right. , Photo: RNZ / Fiji Parliament
A Fijian politics expert says the ongoing political instability in Suva, which has resulted in two deputy prime ministers losing their jobs, will have some bearing on the national general election next year.
In the past fortnight, two of Fiji's deputy prime ministers have resigned from the Sitiveni Rabuka-led coalition government amid corruption-related charges brought against them by the country's anti-corruption watchdog.
Manoa Kamikamica and Biman Prasad - both key members of Rabuka's administration described as "promising leaders" - are facing separate charges laid by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
The Fijian parliament resumes this week and Kamikamica and Prasad will be sitting as backbenchers.
Both men have stepped down from Cabinet and stated they intend to clear their names.
Rabuka told local reporters that his coalition "partnership remains intact" and there was "no cause for concern" despite the resignations of his two deputies.
Canterbury University's Distinguished Professor Steven Ratuva told Pacific Waves voters are watching their elected representatives closely, saying he is "not surprised" by the recent turn of events.
"It's actually a moving situation. We haven't seen the end yet because they are legal cases and counter cases. You have a situation here where there is a certain degree of instability within the government and the judiciary," he said.
"The state system is in a state of flux at the moment".
Ratuva said there are several issue playing out at the same time, including the Commission of Inquiry report into the appointment of the previous FICAC head Barbara Malimali, which implicates "a whole lot of people".
The role of FICAC in this is quite significant, he said.
"The controversy in relation to the appointment of [Malimali] and the appointment of the [new FICAC commissioner, at the same time, there's been a review of the Electoral Act, [and] the Truth and Reconciliation Commission taking place. It's all woven together into a rather tense and unstable situation.
"People are watching and [it] would have some impact on the election next year in terms of how the voters will observe how things are playing out in front of them and how they will make the judgement in relation to what will happen next year."
Distinguished Professor Steven Ratuva Photo: University of Canterbury
Ratuva said with the way things are going, it appears Rabuka is aiming for another term in office.
He said there has not been any signal, at least to the public, in relation to any succession process in place.
"The two deputies have been resigned and things are still unfolding to the extent that he [and] the coalition itself is in a bit of a crisis at the moment. The people have been speculating as to who might be the successor, and for [Rabuka], he'll probably be looking for somebody he can trust.
"He'll probably be looking for somebody who will support him, particularly in these difficult times. He'll probably be looking for somebody whom he can also influence, not only now, but also in the future, when he leaves power."
