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The kingmaker party in Fiji's rollercoaster election has decided to back a prior decision to team up with the opposition coalition, ending Frank Bainimarama's 16-year leadership.
Key points:
- SODELPA once again voted to form a coalition with Sitiveni Rabuka's People's Alliance Party
- The vote was tight, with 13 votes for Mr Rabuka and 12 for the incumbent Frank Bainimarama
- The military was called in to assist police following reports of threats against minority groups
The Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA), which favours policies benefiting Indigenous Fijians, held the balance of power after winning three seats in the hung parliament.
In a highly anticipated announcement, a SODELPA spokesman said the party had weighed the decision with respect to the interests of the nation.
"It's not an easy task. This was a difficult decision that was taken today," he said.
"The management board of the SODELPA Party has today, through democratic means … decided to partner with the People's Alliance Party (PAP)."
Loud cheers and applause followed the announcement.
The decision reaffirmed the party's vote earlier this week to enter into a coalition with the PAP and the National Federation Party, installing Sitiveni Rabuka as prime minister.
Mr Bainimarama and Mr Rabuka are both former coup leaders. Neither party received a majority to form government.
Mr Bainimarama has yet to concede defeat.
The prime minister will be elected by Fiji MPs through a vote when parliament meets for the first time. Fiji's President has yet to declare a date for parliament to meet, but must do so by January 2.
Vote 'came down to the wire'
SODELPA leader Viliame Gavoka said the vote was tight, with 13 votes for the PAP, 12 for Fiji First, and one vote invalid.
"It was very close again," he said.
"It came down to the wire.
"Democracy has won. We have observed the process to its fullest. We went into it fully committed in ensuring that we have the best for this country.
"We believe we have agreed on a way forward."
Mr Rabuka's coalition had been confident after its meeting with SODELPA on Friday about its ability to re-make its case for government.
Mr Rabuka said it was a "very cordial, very good meeting", while National Federation Party leader Biman Prasad said he was "excited" after giving their presentation.
"We are absolutely confident that the partnership that we are trying to forge is going to be the partnership in government," Professor Prasad said.
Mr Bainimarama and his Fiji First colleagues did not comment to the media after ending their meeting with SODELPA on Friday.
The latest developments come after Mr Bainimarama said on Thursday the military had been called on because of attacks on the Indian ethnic minority in the wake of the election.
Opposition parties accused Mr Bainimarama and his allies of stoking fears of ethnic trouble as a pretext to cling to power.
Amid the political uncertainty, on Friday morning Fiji's second-highest-ranking police officer Abdul Khan resigned.
The assistant commissioner had been tasked with leading the joint military and police security operation and was leaving the force due to "personal reasons", according to a statement from the police commissioner.
Prior to the latest development, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Fiji would remain an important partner for Australia.
"We stand ready to work with whoever forms government in Fiji", he said.
ABC/Reuters