# Prime Minister of Fiji

The prime minister of Fiji is the head of government of the Republic of Fiji. The prime minister is appointed under the terms of the 2013 Constitution. The prime minister is the head of the Cabinet and appoints and dismisses ministers.

## Description of the office

As a former British colony, Fiji has largely adopted British political models and follows the Westminster, or Cabinet, system of government, in which the executive branch of government is responsible to the legislature. Under the 2013 Constitution, the prime minister is the leader of the political party which has won more than half of the total number of seats in Parliament. If no such party exist, the Parliament elects the prime minister.
The prime minister of Fiji is technically the "first among equals," whose vote in meetings of the Cabinet carries no greater weight than that of any other minister. In practice, the prime minister dominates the government. Other ministers are appointed by the prime minister.

## History of the office

Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara was appointed Fiji's first prime minister on 10 October 1970, when Fiji attained its independence from Britain. Mara previously served as Fiji's first and only chief minister, from 20 September 1967 (while Fiji still was a British colony). Mara's first term as prime minister lasted until 13 April 1987. He returned to the office for the second term on 5 December 1987, serving until 2 June 1992. As of 2014, Mara is the longest-serving prime minister of Fiji.

## List of prime ministers of Fiji (1970–present)

| No. | Prime Minister | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Party | Election | Head(s) of state |
| Prime Ministers of the Dominion of Fiji ||||||||||
| 1 | Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara (1920–2004) | 10 October 1970 | 13 April 1987 | 16 years, 185 days | Alliance | 1972 1977 (Mar) 1977 (Sep) 1982 | Elizabeth II |
| 2 | Timoci Bavadra (1934–1989) | 13 April 1987 | 14 May 1987 | 31 days | Labour | 1987 | Elizabeth II |
| Vacant (14 May 1987 – 5 December 1987) ||||||||||
| Prime Ministers of the Republic of Fiji ||||||||||
| (1) | Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara (1920–2004) | 5 December 1987 | 2 June 1992 | 4 years, 180 days | Independent | — | Ganilau |
| 3 | Major General (Rtd) Sitiveni Rabuka (born 1948) | 2 June 1992 | 19 May 1999 | 6 years, 351 days | SVT | 1992 1994 | Ganilau Mara |
| 4 | Mahendra Chaudhry (born 1942) | 19 May 1999 | 27 May 2000 | 1 year, 8 days | Labour | 1999 | Mara |
| 5 | Ratu Tevita Momoedonu (1946–2020) | 27 May 2000 | 27 May 2000 | 0 days | Labour | — | Mara |
| Vacant (27 May 2000 – 4 July 2000) ||||||||||
| 6 | Laisenia Qarase (1941–2020) | 4 July 2000 | 14 March 2001 | 253 days | Independent | — | Bainimarama Iloilo |
| — | Ratu Tevita Momoedonu (1946–2020) Acting | 14 March 2001 | 16 March 2001 | 2 days | Labour | — | Iloilo |
| (6) | Laisenia Qarase (1941–2020) | 16 March 2001 | 5 December 2006 | 5 years, 264 days | SDL | 2001 2006 | Iloilo |
| — | Dr. Jona Senilagakali (1929–2011) Acting | 5 December 2006 | 4 January 2007 | 30 days | Independent | — | Bainimarama |
| — | Commodore Frank Bainimarama (born 1954) Acting | 5 January 2007 | 22 September 2014 | 7 years, 260 days | RFMF | — | Iloilo Nailatikau |
| 7 | Rear Admiral (Rtd) Frank Bainimarama (born 1954) | 22 September 2014 | 24 December 2022 | 8 years, 93 days | FijiFirst | 2014 2018 | Nailatikau Konrote Katonivere |
| (3) | Major General (Rtd) Sitiveni Rabuka (born 1948) | 24 December 2022 | Incumbent | 1 year, 339 days | People's Alliance | 2022 | Katonivere Lalabalavu |