Fijian regime appoints vice-president

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Friday, April 17, 2009

Fiji

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• 17 April 2009: Fijian regime appoints vice-president

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Interim minister for Indigenous Affairs Ratu Epeli Nailatikau has been appointed vice-president by Fiji's military regime.

Nailatikau, a former military commander, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Minister in the military regime, was sworn in at Government House this morning. He will continue to hold his portfolios in the interim Cabinet.

The appointment follows the promulgation of a decree establishing the office of vice-president and permitting them to perform the functions of the President of Fiji if the President is unable to.

The current president, Josefa Iloilo, is 88 years old and suffers from Parkinson's disease. He is rarely seen in public, and there is some speculation about his health.

Iloilo abrogated the country's constitution and revoked all judicial appointments last Friday in response to a Court of Appeal decision declaring the removal of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and the appointment of military strongman Voreqe Bainimarama as interim Prime Minister unlawful.

Previously the vice-president was appointed by the Great Council of Chiefs. An earlier attempt by the military regime to appoint Nailatikau as vice-president was rejected by the GCC in April, 2007, leading to the body's suspension.

Fiji's government was overthrown by a military coup in 2006.

Related news

• "Pacific Islands Forum condemns Fiji takeover". Wikinews, April 16, 2009
• "Journalists deported from Fiji". Wikinews, April 13, 2009
• "Bainimarama sworn in as Fiji caretaker PM". Wikinews, April 10, 2009
• "Australia and New Zealand condemn Fiji takeover". Wikinews, April 10, 2009
• "Fiji's President abrogates constitution". Wikinews, April 10, 2009
• "Fiji court rules interim regime unlawful". Wikinews, April 9, 2009

Sources

• "President's deputy sworn in". Fiji Times, April 17, 2009
• "Nailatikau is Fiji's Vice-President". Fiji Live, April 17, 2009
• "President abrogates Constitution". Fiji Times, April 10, 2009
• "Please talk to us, Mr President". Fiji Times, March 24, 2009
• Samisoni Pareti "Fiji soldiers sent to close Council of Chiefs". ABC News Online, April 13, 2007
• "Chiefs reject Nailatikau as VP". Fiji Times, April 11, 2007
  

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