Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu. 3 October 2024 Photo: Parliament of the Republic of Fiji
Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has been elected as the new president of the country on Thursday, despite opposition from women's rights groups.
Mr Naiqama was the current speaker of parliament and nominated by Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
He was elected after getting 37 out of 55 votes.
He is the high chief of the Cakaudrove confederacy, the same province as Rabuka.
He contested the December 2022 election as a candidate for the People's Alliance Party. He recieved 652 votes.
The Fiji Women's Crisis Centre coordinator Shamima Ali said Ratu Naiqama is not fit to be president.
"Ratu Naiqama has shown time and time again that he is a misogynist who was once suspended from parliament for two years for making extremely derogatory comments against the late Speaker of the House, Dr Jiko Luveni," Ali said in a statement on Wednesday.
She also slammed the Women's Minister Lynda Tabuya for endorsing him for the president's role, calling him a "male champion".
"We would like the Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection to explain instances - where and how - Ratu Naiqama has consistently worked as a male champion to break the cycle of patriarchy in the whole of Fiji," Ali said.
Earlier this month, Ratu Naiqama came under fire from human rights campaigners in the country for making, what they said, was "racially charged" and "evil" remarks.
