Its constitution, up to 1987, provided for a bicameral parliament modeled on the Westminster plan with a House of Representatives elected by popular vote and a Senate with appointed members. As the result of the 1987 coup, a new constitution that guarantees indigenous Fijian rule was promulgated in 1990 and implemented in 1992. The overwhelming advantages afforded the indigenous population by the new constitution remains a contentious issue. Prime Minister is Sitiveni Rabuka, and the President is Ratu Sir Mara Kamisese. Including subsistence farming, agriculture is accounts for about half of total employment.
Sugar is the mainstay of Fiji's agriculture and employs about one quarter of Fiji's labor force.
These leases, which begin to expire in 1997, are the source of much political controversy as the expiration dates of vast tracts of leased land looms closer. Farmers naturally demand long-term leases so they can plan the investment it takes to grow more cane. Fijians have been reluctant to renew longer-term control of cane lands to the Indians. In Fiji land equals economic and political power . Power has traditionally rested with the indigenous Fijians and in a time of economic nationalism, the renewal of long term leases is an anathema to a certain part of the Fijian constituency.