President

The President of Fiji is appointed by the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) to act as the head of state for a term of five years – a position that any citizen of Fiji may be appointed to. The president has various roles, including the selection of the prime minister. This is based on who has the confidence of parliament, which in most cases is the leader of the party that wins parliamentary election. Other powers include the appointment of the Chief Justice, which the president makes on the advice of the prime minister and leader of the opposition in Parliament.

The president’s role as defined by the 1998 constitution is largely ceremonial, as the prime minister holds executive power. However, since the coup d’état of 2006 the president has been appointed by the incumbent prime minister, who is not recognised by the Commonwealth.

President organisations in Fiji
Office of the President, Fiji
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