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President Of Fiji




Fiji 's Head Of State is the President . He or she is appointed by the Great Council Of Chiefs for a five-year term. The Great Council of Chiefs is constitutionally required to consult the Prime Minister , but this does not give the Prime Minister a veto, only the right to be consulted. Although not entirely a Figurehead , the President's role in government is mostly ceremonial, but there are important Reserve Powers that may be exercised in the event of a crisis. In addition, the President is Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces .


PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY


The presidential office was established following two Military Coups in 1987 that led to the proclamation of a Republic on 7 October and severed the 113-year link with the British Monarchy . Major-General Sitiveni Rabuka , who had masterminded the coups, formed an Interim Military Government with himself as its head. He did not, however, take the title of President , and on 5 December appointed Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau , the last Governor-General , as the first President of the republic.

A civilian Putsch instigated by George Speight led to another constitutional upheaval in 2000 . President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara resigned on 29 May rather than abrogate the Constitution , as the Military , supported by the Supreme Court , had asked. (Whether or not his resignation was forced is currently ( 2005 ) the subject of a police investigation). Commodore Frank Bainimarama took power as Head of the Interim Military Government (as had Rabuka in 1987 ), until ''Ratu'' Josefa Iloilo was appointed President on 13 July .


INTERIM MILITARY GOVERNMENT



PRESIDENTS



INTERIM MILITARY GOVERNMENT



PRESIDENT