Pacific / Fiji

Konrote reappointed Fiji's president

10:10 am on 31 August 2018

Major General Jioji Konrote has been reappointed as the President of Fiji.

Fiji President Jioji Konrote Photo: supplied

His reappointment came after the largest opposition party in Fiji SODELPA walked out of the parliamentary chamber in protest at the special sitting called this morning.

SODELPA's Semesa Karavaki had earlier raised a point of order saying the call to appoint a president was premature as Major General Konrote's term was not up until November.

He called for the Speaker to get advice from the courts on interpreting the Constitution.

The Speaker said no parliamentary rules had been broken, prompting a walk out by SODELPA members.

The National Federation Party had earlier complained parliamentary rules were not being followed but its three MPs remained in their seats.

The opposition did not put forward a candidate as it was entitled to do under the Constitution.

Major General Konrote was then nominated by the Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama to serve another term.

The retired military officer and former FijiFirst MP was first appointed in 2015 and was eligible for another three years in the role.