POLITICS
Conventional long form name of Fiji: Republic of Fiji
Capital: Suva
Type of government: Republic
Date of Independence: October 10, 1970 from the UK
National holidays: Independence Day - second Monday of October
Chief of State: President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau (pictured left)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase (pictured right)
Capital: Suva
Type of government: Republic
Date of Independence: October 10, 1970 from the UK
National holidays: Independence Day - second Monday of October
Chief of State: President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau (pictured left)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase (pictured right)
About the Executive branch:
Fiji's Executive branch consists of the Chief of State, the Prime Minister, a cabinet whose members are appointed by the prime minister from amend the members of Parliament.
Under the constitution, the President elected by the Great Council of Chiefs for a five-year term, but eligible for a second term afterwards. In 2007 the Great Council of Chiefs was suspended from the ability to elect President, and the Prime Minister is appointed by the President.
About the Legislative branch:
The bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (32 seats), and the House of Representatives (71 seats). Members of the House of Representatives serve five-year terms along with the President.
The citizens vote on the members for the House of Representatives.
About the Judicial branch:
The highest courts would be the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and High Court. All justices and judges are appointed.
The Chief Justice in the Supreme Court is appointed by the President of Fiji with advice from the Primes Minister and the Parliamentary leader. The justices and judges are usually required to retire at age 70.
Subordinate courts consist of Magistrates' Courts (organized into civil, criminal, juvenile, and smaller divisions).
Suffrage: must be 21 years of age
Ambassador to U.S.: Ambassador Winston Thompson
Ambassador from the U.S.: Frankie A. Reed
U.S. Embassy location: Washington D.C.
Consulates in USA: Washington D.C.
Fiji Embassy in Fiji: Tamavua, Fiji
USA Consulates in Fiji: Tamavua, Fiji
Representative to UN: Ban Ki-moon
National symbols: Fijian Coat of Arms, the Tabua (a whale's tooth), and the national flower: Tagimaucia
Fiji's Executive branch consists of the Chief of State, the Prime Minister, a cabinet whose members are appointed by the prime minister from amend the members of Parliament.
Under the constitution, the President elected by the Great Council of Chiefs for a five-year term, but eligible for a second term afterwards. In 2007 the Great Council of Chiefs was suspended from the ability to elect President, and the Prime Minister is appointed by the President.
About the Legislative branch:
The bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (32 seats), and the House of Representatives (71 seats). Members of the House of Representatives serve five-year terms along with the President.
The citizens vote on the members for the House of Representatives.
About the Judicial branch:
The highest courts would be the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and High Court. All justices and judges are appointed.
The Chief Justice in the Supreme Court is appointed by the President of Fiji with advice from the Primes Minister and the Parliamentary leader. The justices and judges are usually required to retire at age 70.
Subordinate courts consist of Magistrates' Courts (organized into civil, criminal, juvenile, and smaller divisions).
Suffrage: must be 21 years of age
Ambassador to U.S.: Ambassador Winston Thompson
Ambassador from the U.S.: Frankie A. Reed
U.S. Embassy location: Washington D.C.
Consulates in USA: Washington D.C.
Fiji Embassy in Fiji: Tamavua, Fiji
USA Consulates in Fiji: Tamavua, Fiji
Representative to UN: Ban Ki-moon
National symbols: Fijian Coat of Arms, the Tabua (a whale's tooth), and the national flower: Tagimaucia
The flag of UK in the upper left reflects the links with Great Britain, the light blue symbolizes the Pacific ocean. The shield is the country's coat of arms which consists of a yellow lion above a white field and a cross of Saint George. The four quadrants show stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove.