Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Aviation and Education, Viliame Gavoka’s position as the Parliamentary Leader of the Social Democratic Liberal Party will not affected after the election of a new Party Leader.
SODELPA General Secretary Viliame Takayawa while highlighting again that Gavoka’s position as Party Leader immediately became vacant as soon he lost the majority to make Government said the new leaders’ role will be to prepare the Party for the next General Election in consultation with the Management Board.
He said the new leader will be heavily involved in the preparation of the Party Manifesto; Selection of the Campaign Director and its Secretariat Staff; Marketing, Communications, and Funding Strategies, which are finalised by the Management Board.
He added that as a political party, issues affecting Fijians are intertwined with the policies prepared that are reflected in their manifesto that they intend to talk about and highlight if and when they form the next Government.
Section 16.1.1(e) of its Constitution highlights that: “The Party Leader normally forms Government with or without the support of other political parties and/ or individuals elected members, subject to him or her receiving the majority support of elected Party members in Parliament and he/she shall become the Prime Minister in accordance with section 93(2) of the Constitution and automatically assumes the position of Parliamentary Leader.”
Section 16.1.1(g) highlights that: “When the Party becomes the minority… the Party Leader position is deemed vacant and the members of Parliamentary Caucus shall elect a Parliamentary Leader.
