Better days: Fiji's coalition parties - PAP-NFP-Sodelpa - signed the coalition agreement on 20 December 2023.(file image) Photo: National Federation Party
Fiji's three-party coalition government is at risk of collapse after just over 12 months in power following the dismissal of a Cabinet minister on Friday, with calls for Sitiveni Rabuka to step down as prime minister.
Rabuka announced the sacking of his education minister Aseri Radrodro for "insubordination and disobedience" via social media platform, Facebook.
Radrodro - who is one of three MPs from the kingmaker party, Sodelpa - told local media the sacking came as surprise, saying he only received a letter of his dismissal after it was announced on social media.
He told local media he was not sure if he remained an MP.
However, the Cabinet and Parliament are two separate institutions independent of each other and Radrodro remains a parliamentarian.
Dimissed for "insubordination and disobedience", Sodelpa's Aseri Radrodro. Photo: Parliament of the Republic of Fiji
According to the Standing Orders, only Parliament can remove an MP either for disciplinary reasons through a process in Parliament as provided for in the Constitution or in any law or if an MP Member is expelled by his/her party, or he/she resigns from the party, under which the party formally informs the Speaker of such a resignation or expulsion.
Radrodro's dismissal comes into effect from today.
But following an emergency meeting by Sodelpa's officials at the weekend, the party said Rabuka did not consult them before making the decision.
The axed minister has been instructed by his party to report to office until the matter is resolved when a management board meets on Friday.
The party also wants Rabuka to step down after his decision to dismiss Radrodro.
The party has a list of four "opportunities and recommendations" for Rabuka to consider, including "for negotiations with FijiFirst if the issue escalates", according to local media reports.
Follow the constitution - Rabuka
However, Rabuka doubled down on his decision on Sunday.
In a recorded statement, he said his ousted education minister failed to follow legal advice from the solicitor-general's office concerning the appointment of Fiji National University Council's chair.
While he did not discuss possible implications for his coalition, he said "Radrodro's dismissal is effective [22 January 2024], and from that date, he may no longer exercise the powers and privileges of the Minister for Education".
Sodelpa leader and deputy prime minsiter Viliame Gavoka, who is currently overseas, will take on the portfolio, Rabuka said.
"Political party by-laws are made under the Political Parties Act," he said.
"The Act requires that parties and their officials must comply with Fiji's Constitution, the supreme law.
"Sodelpa officials must also ensure that the working committee does not exceed its mandate in purporting to exercise powers of the management board as set out in its constitution."