Social Democratic Liberal Party

The Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) is a Fijian political party. The party was formed in January 2013 after the dissolution of the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua. The party currently has no party leader.

Social Democratic Liberal Party
Abbreviation	SODELPA
Leader	Villiame Gavoka
President	Ratu Epenisa Cakobau^[1]
General Secretary	Lenaitasi Duru
Founders	Tupeni Baba Teimumu Kepa
Founded	January 2013 (2013-01)
Preceded by	Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua
Headquarters	66 McGregor Street, Suva
Youth wing	Young SODELPA^[2]
Women's wing	SODELPA Women^[3]
Ideology	Conservatism Liberalism Localism^[4] Factions: Christian right Fijian nationalism^[5]
Political position	Centre-right to right-wing^[6]
Colours	Blue
MPs in the Parliament of Fiji	3 / 55
Website
sodelpa.org
Politics of Fiji Political parties Elections

History

Party foundation

In January 2013 Fiji's military regime promulgated new regulations governing the registration of political parties.^[7] Among the new provisions was a requirement that all political parties be named in English rather than Fijian.^[8] In order to retain the same acronym, the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) reformed as the Social Democratic Liberal Party in order to retain the 'SDL' acronym.^[9][10][11] However, a subsequent amendment to the Political Parties Decree banned the use of the acronyms of former parties, forcing the party to change its acronym to 'SODELPA'.^[12]

The party was temporarily led by Tupeni Baba, but in March 2013 it unanimously selected former SDL Cabinet Minister Ro Teimumu Kepa as its first permanent leader.^[13]

The party applied for registration on 26 February 2013,^[14] and was registered on 3 May 2013.^[15][16]

2014 elections

The party contested the 2014 elections, naming a list of 45 candidates in June.^[17][18] In July, it released its manifesto, promising to reduce poverty, restore the Great Council of Chiefs, and revive the Qoliqoli Bill, which had been stopped by the 2006 coup.^[19] The party gained 28.2 percent of the vote and 15 seats in Parliament.^[20] Following the election, party leader Teimumu Kepa became Leader of the Opposition.^[21]

In June 2016, Kepa announced that she was standing down as leader of SODELPA.^[22] She was replaced by former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.^[23]

2018 elections

The party ran 51 candidates in the 2018 elections, seven of whom were women.^[24] It campaigned on a platform of restoring the 1997 constitution,^[25] promising to restore the Great Council of Chiefs within a hundred days if elected, and to consider changing the electoral system to restore communal constituencies.^[26] The party won 39.85% of the vote, increasing its number of MPs from 15 to 21.^[27]

2020 suspension and leadership

On 26 May 2020, the party was suspended for 60 days for breaching the Political Parties Act. All appointees were declared null and void, and were given 60 days to rectify their issues or face deregistration. The registrar stated that the party's Vice President, Vijay Singh, is the only legitimate officeholder in the party.^[28] The party's suspension was lifted on 29 June.^[29]

In November 2020 the party elected Viliame Gavoka as leader, replacing Sitiveni Rabuka.^[30]

2022 elections

The party contested the 2022 elections. On 30 April 2022 it announced an initial list of 28 candidates.^[31] The party ran 54 candidates during the election and finished fourth, obtaining 5.14% of the vote and receiving 3 seats in parliament.^[32] As neither known electoral alliance received a majority of seats, the party received kingmaker status. On 18 December, 2022, the party revealed its "non-negotiable" terms to enter into coalition, and is in discussions with other parties.^[33] Once the final results were released, in accordance with SODELPA's constitution, Gavoka ceased to be leader as the party did not obtain a parliamentary majority. General Secretary Lenaitasi Duru announced the role of party leader would remain vacant until SODELPA's annual general meeting in 2024.^[34]

SODELPA announced its list of non-negotiable terms which included bringing back the Great Council of Chiefs, providing free tertiary education, forgiving student loans, and establishing an embassy in Jerusalem.^[35][36][37] SODELPA's youth wing demanded the party not form a government with FijiFirst. They also urged the party leadership to reconcile differences with Rabuka to bring Bainimarama's 16-year "dictatorial rule" to an end.^[38] On 19 December, SODELPA's management board met to discuss and decide the party they would form a coalition with.^[39] FijiVillage reported that some senior members of the management board pushed for a coalition with FijiFirst while others were against it.^[40] Ultimately, no decision was made and the party's negotiating team was sent back to the two leading parties to further review some aspects of their offer.^[41] A leaked letter from 18 December revealed that FijiFirst was offering ministerial portfolios to all three SODELPA members of parliament, but that SODELPA was intending to gain the post of deputy prime minister.^[42]

On 20 December, delegations from the two leading parties met with SODELPA's management board.^[43] Negotiations concluded and SODELPA announced the formation of a coalition government with the People's Alliance and its coalition partner, the National Federation Party,^[44] effectively ending FijiFirst's eight-year tenure and Bainimarama's 16-year premiership.^[45] The management board which consisted of 30 members voted in a secret ballot; 16 voted in favour of the opposition coalition while 14 voted for FijiFirst.^[46] The new coalition selected People's Alliance leader Sitiveni Rabuka as Prime Minister designate.^[47][48]

After the announcement, SODELPA's general secretary Duru resigned, claiming there was irregularities in the management board's vote and demanded that the result be declared null and void. He also wrote a letter to President Wiliame Katonivere to postpone the sitting of parliament until "issues were solved".^[49][50] Ultimately, the parliament sitting scheduled for 21 December was delayed as no announcement came from the president.^[51] On 21 December, the FijiFirst party refused to concede defeat; general secretary Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said it can only be called after the election of the prime minister by parliament.^[52] He also questioned the validity of the new coalition citing concerns raised previously by SODELPA's outgoing general secretary.^[53]

Following communications between the elections supervisor and SODELPA's general secretary, the elections office announced that the decision made by the management board on 20 December was null and void. Some board members whose terms had expired were part of the meeting.^[54] As a result, another board meeting was held on 23 December and this time, 13 members voted for the opposition coalition while 12 voted for FijiFirst.^[55] The party's outgoing leader, Viliame Gavoka, said "Democracy had won; We went into it fully committed to ensuring that we have the best for this country. We believe and we have agreed on a way forward that benefits this country going forward."^[56]

Ideology

SODELPA has been described as an Taukei ethno-nationalist party,^[57][58] as well as conservative and protectionist, contrasting with the more secularist and reformist party FijiFirst.^[59]

Foreign relations

The party is Zionist and supports recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. One of the conditions of the coalition agreement between the People's Alliance, the NFP and SODELPA was to open a Fijian embassy in Jerusalem.^[60]

Health

The party supports the administration of COVID-19 vaccines.^[61]

Indigenous people

The party supports bringing back the Great Council of Chiefs, which was a condition of the coalition agreement between the People's Alliance, the NFP and SODELPA.^[60]

Social policy

SODELPA opposes same-sex marriage, but also states that it respects the rights of all people.^[62]

Electoral history

Parliamentary elections

Election	Party leader	Votes	%	Seats	+/–	Position	Government
2014	Teimumu Kepa	139,857	28.20%	15 / 50	New	2nd	Opposition
2018	Sitiveni Rabuka	181,072	39.85%	21 / 51	6	2nd	Opposition
2022	Viliame Gavoka	24,172	5.14%	3 / 55	18	4th	Coalition (PAP-NFP)

References

1. "SODELPA appoints president and vice presidents". FBC. Retrieved 2020-07-25.
2. "Young SODELPA". Social Democratic Liberal Party. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
3. "SODELPA Women". Social Democratic Liberal Party. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
4. "Gavoka hits out at ministry". Fiji Times. Retrieved 2021-09-02.
5. Ratuva, Steven (2014-10-17). . Pacific Islands Report. Archived from the original on 2016-06-06.
6. "Fiji's PM ousted after kingmaking coalition vote". BBC News. 2022-12-20. Retrieved 2022-12-24.
7. Michael Field (2013-01-16). "Fiji regime cracks down on political parties". Stuff. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
8. "SDL says Fiji name change requirement is ridiculous". Radio New Zealand International. 2013-01-17. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
9. . Radio New Zealand International. 2013-01-25. Archived from the original on 2013-01-29. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
10. Nasik Swami (2013-01-26). . Fiji Times. Archived from the original on 2013-01-28. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
11. Tabaiwalu, Pio (2016). "The genesis of the Social Democratic Liberal Party: A struggle against the odds". In Ratuva, Steven; Lawson, Stephanie (eds.). The People Have Spoken. Australian National University Press. p. 194. ISBN 9781760460013. JSTOR j.ctt1bw1hc6.12.
12. "Fiji SDL Party changes name again to get around decree". Radio Australia. 2013-02-26. Retrieved 2014-09-24.
13. "Ro Teimumu Kepa is the new leader of SODELPA". Fiji Today. 2014-03-07. Retrieved 2014-09-24.
14. "New Fiji party applies for registration". Radio New Zealand International. 2013-02-26. Retrieved 2013-02-26.
15. "Three of Fiji's political parties now registered". Radio New Zealand International. 2013-05-02. Retrieved 2013-05-03.
16. "Green light for NFP, FLP and SODELPA". Fiji Times. 2013-05-03. Retrieved 2013-05-03.
17. Apisalome Rabo (2014-06-14). . Fiji One. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 2014-09-24.
18. "Big names set to take on Fiji regime at elections". Cook Islands News. 2014-06-16. Retrieved 2014-09-24.
19. "Fiji's Sodelpa promises poverty relief in manifesto". Radio New Zealand International. 2014-07-22. Retrieved 2014-09-24.
20. . Fiji Elections Office. Archived from the original on 2014-09-21. Retrieved 2014-09-23.
21. Nasik Swami (2014-09-24). . Fiji Times. Archived from the original on 2014-09-24. Retrieved 2014-09-24.
22. "Ro Teimumu to quit Fiji party leadership". RNZ International. 2016-06-02. Retrieved 2016-06-24.
23. "Sitiveni Rabuka wins leadership of Fiji's SODELPA". RNZ International. 2016-06-24. Retrieved 2016-06-24.
24. "Six political parties to contest Fijian elections". RNZ. 2018-10-16. Retrieved 2018-10-16.
25. Vilimaina Naqelevuki (2018-11-06). "2018 General Election: SODELPA to bring back 1997 Constitution if it wins". Fiji Times. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
26. "Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs restored in 100 days under SODELPA - Rabuka". RNZI. 2018-10-19. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
27. Talebula Kate (2018-11-18). "2018 General Election: SODELPA secures 21 seats". Fiji Times. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
28. "SODELPA suspended for 60 days for breach". FBC. 2020-05-26. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
29. "Suspension of main opposition party Sodelpa lifted in Fiji". RNZ. 2020-06-29. Retrieved 2020-06-29.
30. "Fiji's main opposition party chooses a new leader". RNZ. 2020-11-27. Retrieved 2020-11-27.
31. "Fiji elections: Sodelpa reveals initial candidates". RNZ. 2022-04-30. Retrieved 2022-04-30.
32. . Fiji Elections Office. 2022-12-19. Archived from the original on 2022-12-19. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
33. "The last shall be first ... Fiji's king-maker party considering all options". RNZ. 2022-12-19. Archived from the original on 2022-12-20. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
34. Daucakacaka, Jale (2022-12-20). "Gavoka no longer SODELPA leader". FBC. from the original on 2022-12-20. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
35. "The last shall be first ... Fiji's king-maker party considering all options". RNZ. 2022-12-18. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
36. "Fiji election results finalised but no outright win for major parties". ABC News. 2022-12-18. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
37. Fijivillage. "Our non-negotiables are like the iTaukei and education related policies in our manifesto – Duru". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
38. "Sodelpa youth arm begs party to rule out coalition with 'dictator' Bainimarama". RNZ. 2022-12-19. from the original on 2022-12-19. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
39. "SODELPA begins board meeting". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
40. Fijivillage. "SODELPA Management Board meets to decide on whether the party will form a coalition government with the People's Alliance/NFP or the FijiFirst". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
41. "SODELPA sends team back for negotiations". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
42. "FijiFirst offers three ministerial roles, but Sodelpa wants deputy PM role". RNZ. 2022-12-20. Archived from the original on 2022-12-20. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
43. Fijivillage. "The People's Alliance/NFP and SODELPA to form the next government". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
44. Fijivillage. "The People's Alliance/NFP and SODELPA to form the next government". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
45. "Fiji has a new coalition government". RNZ. 2022-12-20. Archived from the original on 2022-12-20. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
46. "Fiji to have a new government". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
47. "Fiji has a new coalition government; Rabuka to be PM". RNZ. 2022-12-20. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
48. "Fiji's Sitiveni Rabuka becomes new PM, dethroning Frank Bainimarama after nearly 16 years". Stuff. 2022-12-20. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
49. Fijivillage. "Duru gets communication from President's Office". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 2022-12-21.
50. "Reports of 'anomalies' in Sodelpa vote to go with opposition parties". RNZ. 2022-12-21. Retrieved 2022-12-21.
51. "Fiji parliament delays sitting to elect prime minister". Reuters. 2022-12-21. Retrieved 2022-12-21.
52. Navitalai Naivalurua (2022-12-21). "FijiFirst accepts election result, but does not concede defeat". Fiji Village. Retrieved 2022-12-21.
53. "Nothing to concede – FijiFirst says election can only be decided in parliament". RNZ. 2022-12-21. Retrieved 2022-12-21.
54. Fijivillage. "SODELPA to have another management board meeting tomorrow - Koroisavou". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
55. Fijivillage. "SODELPA decides to go into a coalition with People's Alliance and NFP". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 2022-12-23.
56. "A knife-edge election in Fiji sees power shift – and a chance to bring back real democracy". Retrieved 2022-12-24.
57. Steven Ratuva (2016). "Shifting democracy: Electoral changes in Fiji". In Steven Ratuva; Stephanie Lawson (eds.). The People Have Spoken: The 2014 Elections in Fiji. ANU Press. p. 33. ISBN 978-1-76046-002-0.
58. Steven Ratuva (2016). "Shifting democracy: electoral changes in Fiji". In Stephanie Lawson; Steven Ratuva (eds.). The People Have Spoken: The 2014 Elections in Fiji. ANU Press. p. 33. ISBN 978-1-760-46002-0.
59. Steven Ratuva (2016). "Shifting democracy: electoral changes in Fiji". In Stephanie Lawson; Steven Ratuva (eds.). The People Have Spoken: The 2014 Elections in Fiji. ANU Press. p. 36. ISBN 978-1-760-46002-0.
60. Kumar, Rashika (2022-12-30). "PA-NFP-SODELPA officially sign Coalition Agreement". Fijivillage. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
61. Boila, Sainiani (2021-03-22). "SODELPA says the COVID-19 jab is crucial". FBC News. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
62. Narayan, Vijay (2022-12-07). "SODELPA says no, never, to same sex marriage". Fijivillage. Retrieved 2023-03-06.