Former military commander Sitiveni Rabuka was on Saturday confirmed as Fiji’s prime minister, after accusing the outgoing government of stoking “fear and chaos” to derail his return to power.
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.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern congratulated Rabuka in a statement.
“We strongly value Fiji as a close friend and partner as we progress our shared priorities for the region,” she said.
Fiji is one of the most populous and prosperous Pacific island nations, and has grown closer to China under Bainimarama.
