3 opposition groups join hands to form coalition gov't in Fiji

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - Three opposition groups have formed a coalition to lead the new government in Fiji.

The coalition was announced by Social Democratic Liberal Party (Sodelpa) with the People's Alliance (PA) and National Federation Party (NFP) to form a new government, Radio New Zealand reported.

It marks the end of FijiFirst party’s eight-year reign in the island nation.

Fiji conducted its general elections last Wednesday.

The PA leader Sitiveni Rabuka is set to become the new prime minister.

Around 342 candidates fought for 51 parliament seats for a four-year term.

It was the third democratic election in the Pacific Island nation of over 912,000 people.

The new coalition also ends the dominance of former coup leader-turned-Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.

Bainimarama, 68, had seized power in a coup in 2006 but introduced a new constitution in 2013 and later his party won elections in 2014 and 2018.