Newly elected Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka vows to tackle growing national debt

In his first address to the country since being sworn into office on Christmas Eve, Mr. Rabuka said on December 29 there had been a "great and joyful awakening" in a nation where democracy is considered fragile.

Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka vowed to address the "litany of woe" created by the nation's former government while raising concerns about the Pacific nation's massive debt.

In his first address to the country since being sworn into office on Christmas Eve, Mr. Rabuka said on December 29 there had been a "great and joyful awakening" in a nation where democracy is considered fragile.

The 74-year-old's election December 24 at a special sitting of Parliament in Suva ended the 16-year reign of Fiji First Party leader Frank Bainimarama as Prime Minister. The People's Alliance Party leader, who formed a tripartite coalition to win office, promised to audit the spending of the former government and said he will institute an austere approach while in power.

"The mood for a new government was evident," Mr. Rabuka said. "There was a whole raft of reasons for that including the problems with infrastructure and essential services, education, increasing poverty, abuse of rights, a climate of fear and a massive national debt." Mr. Rabuka, who previously served as Prime Minister between 1992 and 1999, said the incoming government needed to address Fiji's growing debt, which he said may be over 10 billion Fijian dollars ($4.5 billion).

"That is a huge burden for a small economy like ours. We will examine cash flow issues and structure debt repayment. This will be done in a way that does not impede our development," Mr. Rabuka said.

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The former military commander, who will chair the Pacific Islands Forum, was backed for office by the affiliated National Federation Party and the Social Democratic Liberal Party.