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Vice-President of Fiji

Vice-President of the Republic of Fiji
Coat of arms of the Republic of Fiji
Epeli Nailatikau Last office holder
Appointer	Great Council of Chiefs (1990–2009) President of Fiji (2009–13)
Formation	1990
First holder	Josaia Tavaiqia Inoke Takiveikata
Final holder	Epeli Nailatikau
Abolished	6 September 2013 (permanently vacant since July 30, 2009)
Superseded by	Chief Justice of Fiji

Politics of Fiji
Constitution History
Executive President (list) Wiliame Katonivere Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka Cabinet Attorney-General Siromi Turaga Leader of the Opposition Inia Seruiratu
Legislative Parliament Speaker: Naiqama Lalabalavu
Judiciary Supreme Court Chief Justice: Kamal Kumar Court of Appeal High Court
Elections Electoral system Voting Political parties Post-independence elections 1972 Mar 1977 Sep 1977 1982 1987 1992 1994 1999 2001 2006 2014 2018 2022 Next
Local government Recent local elections 2002 2005
Foreign relations Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister: Sitiveni Rabuka Diplomatic missions of / in Fiji Passport Visa requirements Visa policy
Former and informal Monarchy Governor Governor-General Chief Minister Executive Council House of Representatives Constituencies Open Communal National Legislative Council Great Council of Chiefs Chairman Senate Vice-President
Other countries
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The position of the vice-president of the Republic of Fiji was created in 1990, to provide a constitutional successor to the president of Fiji, in the event of the latter's death or resignation, or of his otherwise being unable to carry out his duties. The vice-president's role in government was mostly ceremonial as its sole purpose was to replace the president in his absence, death, or inability to hold office. The vice-presidency was abolished in 2013, with the powers of the office transferred to the Chief Justice of Fiji, who has a dormant commission which is triggered when the position of President of Fiji is either vacant or when the President is either absent or ill.

History of the office[edit]

Under the terms the 1990 Constitution of Fiji, the vice-presidency was divided between two persons, styled First Vice-President and Second Vice-President, respectively, but a single person held the office of vice-president from 1999, when the 1997 Constitution of Fiji came into effect.

Under the terms of the 1997 Constitution, the vice-president was appointed by the Great Council of Chiefs, after consultation with the prime minister.^[1] In April 2009, however, the Constitution was suspended, following the earlier suspension of the Great Council of Chiefs in April 2007. Six days after the suspension of the Constitution, the government issued a decree stating that the vice-president would henceforth be appointed by the president.^[2] Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was appointed vice-president the following day.^[3]

Under the terms of the 2013 Constitution, the vice-presidency was abolished, with its duties and powers transferred to the chief justice.^[4]

Being appointees of the all-indigenous Great Council of Chiefs, Fiji's vice-presidents, like its presidents, have all been indigenous Fijians (of chiefly rank). In 2007, Reverend Akuila Yabaki, Director of the Citizens Constitutional Forum, suggested that "the time may be right now to allow a person from any race to take up this position".^[5]

Vice-presidents[edit]

Vice-presidents (single office)[edit]

References[edit]