Chaudhry Takes Aim and Coalition Failure - Calls for Proper Process

The defeat of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2025 has delivered yet another blow to the Coalition Government, raising fresh concerns over its leadership and strategic missteps.

While the Fiji Labour Party has stopped short of calling for Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s resignation, its leader, Mahendra Chaudhry, has criticized the handling of the bill, calling it an avoidable failure that has left the nation questioning the government’s competence.

Chaudhry emphasized that any constitutional reform must reflect the will of the people, built on transparency and consensus.

Instead, he said, the Prime Minister’s push to amend unspecified provisions without securing broad parliamentary and public support “smacks of arrogance and detachment.” Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu echoed similar concerns in Parliament, questioning the government’s lack of clarity on the proposed changes.

Meanwhile, the Unity Party has joined the chorus of criticism, calling for Rabuka’s resignation.

The Labour leader further outlined what he believed should have been the government’s approach to constitutional reform—genuine consultation with stakeholders, a clear explanation of the amendments, and bipartisan support to meet the 75% parliamentary threshold.

“This is the Constitution we are talking about, not just subsidiary legislation,” Chaudhry stated, warning that the government’s failure was not merely a legislative defeat but a betrayal of public trust.

Labour has urged the Prime Minister to “reflect, regroup, and lead with the competence this nation deserves.”