Minister for Lands Filimone Vosarogo has decisively dismissed calls from the Leader of the Opposition for Prime Minister to resign amidst the ongoing appeal period. Instead, he has encouraged the opposition leader to formally submit a vote of no confidence in Parliament as a legitimate means to challenge the Prime Minister’s position.
Vosarogo clarified that the opposition leader has misinterpreted the current legal situation, indicating that no official appeal has been filed yet. He stated, “Even if the Prime Minister had indicated an intention, no appeal has been filed. It is within the appeal period, and as mentioned today in the media session, the Prime Minister is considering the advice he is being offered.” He emphasized that there is no appeal currently in progress, contrary to assertions made by the opposition.
He further asserted that the Prime Minister is not under any criminal charges, refuting comparisons to former deputy prime ministers, and highlighting a fundamental misunderstanding of the legal distinctions involved. “Using the two former Deputy Prime Ministers as examples lacks a simple understanding of the difference between criminal law and, in this case, public or administrative law. That understanding should be basic at the Leader of Opposition level,” Vosarogo remarked.
Stressing that the opposition leader lacks the authority to demand the Prime Minister’s resignation, he reinforced that the Prime Minister enjoys robust support from both the Cabinet and the People’s Alliance Party. “The Leader of Opposition should accept that, generally, he is in no position to call for the Prime Minister to step aside. The Prime Minister has the full backing of Cabinet. He also has the full backing of the People’s Alliance Party,” Vosarogo affirmed.
In urging the opposition to act in accordance with parliamentary traditions, he challenged the leader to bring forth a motion of no confidence to gauge the Prime Minister’s support among Parliament members. “I challenge the Leader of Opposition to move that motion and see for himself the support that the Prime Minister has,” he stated.
Additionally, Vosarogo questioned the legitimacy of the Opposition’s parliamentary presence after the deregistration of the party under which they were elected, asserting that their tenure in Parliament is still valid by law. “We know that their tenancy in Parliament is preserved by default. The law actually preserves their tenure despite the party that brought them in now being deregistered,” he explained.
Furthermore, he critiqued the opposition leader’s electoral mandate, noting a stark contrast in votes: the Leader of the Opposition received only 1,221 votes compared to the Prime Minister’s 77,748. “Hardly would that have brought himself to Parliament, let alone bring others under the D’Hondt system,” Vosarogo emphasized.
In a pointed closing remark, he questioned the continued privileges enjoyed by the opposition group. “Why should the Leader of Opposition’s group continue to enjoy the passage and privilege that the two former leaders of FijiFirst provided them?” he asked provocatively.
This political exchange underscores the intricacies and legal considerations within the country’s political framework while emphasizing the critical need for proper parliamentary processes when addressing leadership challenges. The debate highlights the vibrant political landscape, suggesting a robust engagement between parties, which can ultimately strengthen democratic practices.