'Rambo' Rabuka returns as Fiji Prime Minister
The Hindu
Two-time coup leader and former PM Sitiveni Rabuka, nicknamed "Rambo", narrowly triumphed over Bainimarama by 28 votes to 27 in a secret ballot held in Parliament.
Former military commander Sitiveni Rabuka was on Saturday, December 24, 2022 confirmed as Fiji's Prime Minister, after accusing the outgoing government of stoking "fear and chaos" to derail his return to power.
Mr. Rabuka replaces the imposing Frank Bainimarama, who toppled the government in a 2006 coup and became prime minister a year later.
The 74-year-old Rabuka said he felt "humbled" as he made his way out of parliament to be sworn in by the country's president.
The two-time coup leader and former prime minister ¬ nicknamed "Rambo" ¬ narrowly triumphed over Bainimarama by 28 votes to 27 in a secret ballot held in Parliament, speaker Naiqama Lalabalavu announced.
A smiling Bainimarama appeared to accept defeat as he told reporters after the vote: "This is democracy".
A chorus of cars honked in celebration as they drove past the parliamentary building in the capital Suva.
European Union ambassador for the Pacific Sujiro Seam tweeted his congratulations to Rabuka shortly after the announcement.
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