The Government of Fiji - The World Countries

Fiji - Government

Based on the etymolgy of Fiji, it was the Fijians called their home Viti, but the neighboring Tongans called it Fisi, and in the Anglicized spelling of the Tongan pronunciation - promulgated by explorer Captain James COOK - the designation became Fiji. The Government system in this country is the parliamentary republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 14 provinces and 1 dependency*; Ba, Bua, Cakaudrove, Kadavu, Lau, Lomaiviti, Macuata, Nadroga and Navosa, Naitasiri, Namosi, Ra, Rewa, Rotuma*, Serua, Tailevu

National symbols

Fijian canoe; national color: light blue.

The flag

The National flag of Fiji has light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean and the Union Jack reflects the links with Great Britain; the shield - taken from Fiji's coat of arms - depicts a yellow lion, holding a coconut pod between its paws, above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George; the four quarters depict stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, a banana bunch, and a white dove of peace.

The National Anthem

Title	"God Bless Fiji"
Lyric/music	Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT/C. Austin MILES (adapted by Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT)

note: adopted 1970; known in Fijian as "Meda Dau Doka" (Let Us Show Pride); adapted from the hymn, "Dwelling in Beulah Land," the anthem's English lyrics are generally sung, although they differ in meaning from the official Fijian lyrics

More about the government of Fiji

Constitution
Date of Independence	10 October 1970 (from the UK)
National holiday	Fiji (Independence) Day, 10 October (1970)
Legal system	common law system based on the English model
International law organization participation	has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
History	Several previous; latest signed into law 6 September 2013
Amendments	Proposed as a bill by Parliament and supported by at least three quarters of its members, followed by referral to the president and then to the Electoral Commission, which conducts a referendum; passage requires approval by at least three-quarters of registered voters and assent by the president
Citizenship
Citizenship by birth	no
Citizenship by descent only	at least one parent must be a citizen of Fiji
Dual citizenship recognized	yes
Residency requirement for naturalization	at least 5 years residency out of the 10 years preceding application
Executive Branch
Chief of state	President Ratu Wiliame KATONIVERE (since 12 November 2021)
Head of government	Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada RABUKA (since 24 December 2022)
Cabinet	Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament
Elections/appointments	president elected by Parliament for a 3-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 October 2021 (next to be held in 2024); prime minister endorsed by the president
Election results	2021: Ratu Wiliame KATONIVERE elected president; Wiliame KATONIVERE (People's Alliance) 28 votes, Teimumu KEPA (SODELPA) 23 votes 2018: Jioji Konousi KONROTE reelected president (unopposed)
Legislative branch
Description	Unicameral Parliament (55 seats; members directly elected in a nationwide, multi-seat constituency by open-list proportional representation vote with a 5% electoral threshold; members serve 4-year terms)
Elections	Last held on 14 December 2022 (next to be held in 2026)
Election results	Percent of vote by party - FijiFirst 42.5%, People's Alliance 35.8%, NFP 8.9%, SODELPA 5.1%, other 7.7%; seats by party - FijiFirst 26, People's Alliance 21, NFP 5, SODELPA 3; composition - men 50, women 5, percentage women 9.1%
Judicial branch
Highest court(s)	Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice, all justices of the Court of Appeal, and judges appointed specifically as Supreme Court judges); Court of Appeal (consists of the court president, all puisne judges of the High Court, and judges specifically appointed to the Court of Appeal); High Court (chaired by the chief justice and includes a minimum of 10 puisne judges; High Court organized into civil, criminal, family, employment, and tax divisions)
Judge selection and term of office	Chief justice appointed by the president of Fiji on the advice of the prime minister following consultation with the parliamentary leader of the opposition; judges of the Supreme Court, the president of the Court of Appeal, the justices of the Court of Appeal, and puisne judges of the High Court appointed by the president of Fiji upon the nomination of the Judicial Service Commission after consulting with the cabinet minister and the committee of the House of Representatives responsible for the administration of justice; the chief justice, Supreme Court judges and justices of Appeal generally required to retire at age 70, but this requirement may be waived for one or more sessions of the court; puisne judges appointed for not less than 4 years nor more than 7 years, with mandatory retirement at age 65
Subordinate courts	Magistrates' Court (organized into civil, criminal, juvenile, and small claims divisions)
Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission	Ambassador Ilisoni VUIDREKETI (since 17 June 2024)
Chancery	1707 L Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036
Telephone	[1] (917) 208-4560
FAX	[1] (202) 466-8325
Email address and website	[email protected] https://www.fijiembassydc.com/
Diplomatic representation from the US
Chief of mission	Ambassador Marie DAMOUR (since 24 November 2022); note - also accredited to Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu
Embassy	158 Princes Road, Tamavua, Suva
Mailing address	4290 Suva Place, Washington DC 20521-4290
Telephone	[679] 331-4466
FAX	[679] 330-2267
Email address and website	[email protected] https://fj.usembassy.gov/
National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites	1 (cultural)
Selected World Heritage Site locales	Levuka Historical Port Town