Fiji: Narrow defeat of constitutional amendment indicates wide support for Prime Minister and ongoing reform

On 11 March, the Constitution Amendment Bill was defeated in parliament after falling short by one vote. The Bill required 41 votes, equal to three-quarters of the members of parliament (MPs) to proceed to the next stage. The Bill sought to remove the requirement for three-quarters of MPs and three-quarters of registered voters to pass any amendment to the 2013 Constitution. The Attorney General disclosed the government’s plan to regroup and decide on its next steps.

Assessment: The marginal defeat reflects wide support for the constitutional amendment. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is likely to reintroduce the Bill after a round of lobbying to win more support. The strong showing also indicates solid support for PM Rabuka’s ongoing reform agenda.

Sources: Inoke Rabonu, “Constitution (Amendment) Bill Defeated,” Fiji Sun, March 12, 2025; “Fiji Constitution Amendment Bill fails to meet threshold, Supreme Court opinion an option,” Pacific Islands News Association, March 12, 2025; “Fiji government fails to secure support to make changes to constitution,” RNZ Pacific, March 12, 2025; Kreetika Kumar, “Constitution change faces setback,” FBC, March 11, 2025.