23 Apr 2003

Fijian Political Party calls for snap general election

10:58 am on 23 April 2003

The Fijian Political Party, the SVT, is calling for a snap general election to solve the constitutional crisis over the composition of cabinet.

The Fiji Sun quotes the SVT spokeswoman, Ema Druavesi, as saying this is the only way out for the Qarase government.

Mrs Druavesi says there should be a clear winner and a government to decide freely what it wants.

She says the Fiji Court of Appeal has already ruled in favour of the Labour Party being a part of the multi-party cabinet as this is a constitutional requirement.

Mrs Druavesi says the situation is made worse by the government's coalition partner, the Conservative Alliance, which wants freedom for all those sentenced for the coup, including George Speight.

Speight's brother and government MP, Samisoni Tikonisau, says Speight should be covered by the immunity bill for soldiers which the state will table in parliament soon.

Mrs Druavesi says the SVT is strongly against such a provision.