Prime Minister of Fiji facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji
Flag of Fiji
Coat of arms of Fiji
Incumbent Sitiveni Rabuka since 24 December 2022
Government of Fiji Cabinet of Fiji Office of the Prime Minister Parliament of Fiji
Style	The Honourable
Member of	Cabinet
Seat	Government Buildings
Term length	Four years
Precursor	Chief Minister of Fiji
Inaugural holder	Kamisese Mara
Formation	10 October 1970; 54 years ago (1970-10-10)
Deputy	Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji
Salary	FJ$ 328,750/US$ 149,431 annually

The prime minister of Fiji is the head of government of the Republic of Fiji. The prime minister is appointed under the terms of the 2013 Constitution. The prime minister is the head of the Cabinet and appoints and dismisses ministers.

Description of the office

As a former British colony, Fiji has largely adopted British political models and follows the Westminster, or Cabinet, system of government, in which the executive branch of government is responsible to the legislature. Under the 2013 Constitution, the prime minister is the leader of the political party which has won more than half of the total number of seats in Parliament. If no such party exist, the Parliament elects the prime minister.

The prime minister of Fiji is technically the "first among equals," whose vote in meetings of the Cabinet carries no greater weight than that of any other minister. In practice, the prime minister dominates the government. Other ministers are appointed by the prime minister.

History of the office

Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara was appointed Fiji's first prime minister on 10 October 1970, when Fiji attained its independence from Britain. Mara previously served as Fiji's first and only chief minister, from 20 September 1967 (while Fiji still was a British colony). Mara's first term as prime minister lasted until 13 April 1987. He returned to the office for the second term on 5 December 1987, serving until 2 June 1992. As of 2014, Mara is the longest-serving prime minister of Fiji.

List of prime ministers of Fiji (1970–present)

Portrait	Prime Minister	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Party		Election	Head(s) of state
Prime Ministers of the Dominion of Fiji
	Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara (1920–2004)	10 October 1970	13 April 1987	16 years, 185 days		Alliance	1972 1977 (Mar) 1977 (Sep) 1982	Elizabeth II
	Timoci Bavadra (1934–1989)	13 April 1987	14 May 1987	31 days		Labour	1987	Elizabeth II
Vacant (14 May 1987 – 5 December 1987)
Prime Ministers of the Republic of Fiji
	Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara (1920–2004)	5 December 1987	2 June 1992	4 years, 180 days		Independent	—	Ganilau
	Major General (Rtd) Sitiveni Rabuka (born 1948)	2 June 1992	19 May 1999	6 years, 351 days		SVT	1992 1994	Ganilau Mara
	Mahendra Chaudhry (born 1942)	19 May 1999	27 May 2000	1 year, 8 days		Labour	1999	Mara
	Ratu Tevita Momoedonu (1946–2020)	27 May 2000	27 May 2000	0 days		Labour	—	Mara
Vacant (27 May 2000 – 4 July 2000)
	Laisenia Qarase (1941–2020)	4 July 2000	14 March 2001	253 days		Independent	—	Bainimarama Iloilo
	Ratu Tevita Momoedonu (1946–2020) Acting	14 March 2001	16 March 2001	2 days		Labour	—	Iloilo
	Laisenia Qarase (1941–2020)	16 March 2001	5 December 2006	5 years, 264 days		SDL	2001 2006	Iloilo
	Dr. Jona Senilagakali (1929–2011) Acting	5 December 2006	4 January 2007	30 days		Independent	—	Bainimarama
	Commodore Frank Bainimarama (born 1954) Acting	5 January 2007	22 September 2014	7 years, 260 days		RFMF	—	Iloilo Nailatikau
	Rear Admiral (Rtd) Frank Bainimarama (born 1954)	22 September 2014	24 December 2022	8 years, 93 days		FijiFirst	2014 2018	Nailatikau Konrote Katonivere
	Major General (Rtd) Sitiveni Rabuka (born 1948)	24 December 2022	Incumbent	1 year, 363 days		People's Alliance (Fiji)	2022	Katonivere

Timeline

See also

In Spanish: Primer ministro de Fiyi para niños

• List of heads of state of Fiji
• President of Fiji
• Office of the Prime Minister
• Premier of the Kingdom of Viti