Social Democratic Liberal Party

Social Democratic Liberal Party
Leader Sitiveni Rabuka
Secretary Pio Tabaiwalu[1]
Founded January 2013
Preceded by Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua
Headquarters 66 McGregor Street, Suva
Ideology Ethnic nationalism[2]
Christian nationalism[3]
Political position Right-wing
Religion Christianity[4]
Colours Light Blue
MPs in the Parliament of Fiji
15 / 50
Website
www.sodelpa.org

The Social Democratic Liberal Party is a political party in Fiji. The party was formed in January 2013 after the dissolution of the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua. The party's leader is Sitiveni Rabuka.

Formation

In January 2013 Fiji's military regime promulgated new regulations governing the registration of political parties.[5] Among the new provisions was a requirement that all political parties be named in English rather than Fijian.[6] Rather than changing its name, the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) Party wound itself up, reforming as the Social Democratic Liberal Party in order to retain the SDL acronym.[7][8] However, a subsequent amendment to the Political Parties Decree banned the use of the acronyms of former parties, forcing the party to switch to "SODELPA".[9]

The party was provisionally led by Dr Tupeni Baba, but in March 2013 it unanimously selected former SDL Cabinet Minister Ro Teimumu Kepa as its first permanent leader.[10]

The party applied for registration on 26 February 2013,[11] and was registered on 3 May 2013.[12][13]

2014 elections

The party contested the 2014 elections, naming a list of 45 candidates in June.[14][15] In July, it released its manifesto, promising to reduce poverty, restore the Great Council of Chiefs, and revive the Qoliqoli Bill which had been stopped by the 2006 coup.[16] The party gained 28.2 percent of the vote and 15 seats in Parliament.[17] Following the election, party leader Teimumu Kepa became Leader of the Opposition.[18]

In June 2016, Kepa announced that she was standing down as leader of SODELPA.[19] She was replaced by former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.[20]

References

  1. ↑ "Fiji's Social Democratic Liberal Party to select interim board". Islands Business. Retrieved 2014-09-24.
  2. ↑ "A Symbol Of Hope – Reflections On The Fiji Election", Pacific Islands Report, October 2014
  3. ↑ "Fiji's Sodelpa promises poverty relief". Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  4. ↑ "Fiji's Sodelpa promises poverty relief in manifesto". Radio New Zealand International. 2014-07-22. Retrieved 2014-09-24.
  5. ↑ Michael Field (2013-01-16). "Fiji regime cracks down on political parties". Stuff. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  6. ↑ "SDL says Fiji name change requirement is ridiculous". Radio New Zealand International. 2013-01-17. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  7. ↑ "Fiji's main party dissolved in face of onerous decree". Radio New Zealand International. 2013-01-25. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  8. ↑ Nasik Swami (2013-01-26). "SDL alive". Fiji Times. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  9. ↑ "Fiji SDL Party changes name again to get around decree". Radio Australia. 2013-02-26. Retrieved 2014-09-24.
  10. ↑ "Ro Teimumu Kepa is the new leader of SODELPA". Fiji Today. 2014-03-07. Retrieved 2014-09-24.
  11. ↑ "New Fiji party applies for registration". Radio New Zealand International. 2013-02-26. Retrieved 2013-02-26.
  12. ↑ "Three of Fiji's political parties now registered". Radio New Zealand International. 2013-05-02. Retrieved 2013-05-03.
  13. ↑ "Green light for NFP, FLP and SODELPA". Fiji Times. 2013-05-03. Retrieved 2013-05-03.
  14. ↑ Apisalome Rabo (2014-06-14). "SODELPA names 45 candidates". Fiji One. Retrieved 2014-09-24.
  15. ↑ "Big names set to take on Fiji regime at elections". Cook Islands News. 2014-06-16. Retrieved 2014-09-24.
  16. ↑ "Fiji's Sodelpa promises poverty relief in manifesto". Radio New Zealand International. 2014-07-22. Retrieved 2014-09-24.
  17. ↑ "2014 Election Results". Fiji Elections Office. Retrieved 2014-09-23.
  18. ↑ Nasik Swami (2014-09-24). "Ro Teimumu is Leader of the Opposition". Fiji Times. Retrieved 2014-09-24.
  19. ↑ "Ro Teimumu to quit Fiji party leadership". RNZ International. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  20. ↑ "Sitiveni Rabuka wins leadership of Fiji's SODELPA". RNZ International. 24 June 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
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