New political force emerges in Fiji as Inia Seruiratu promises to always put voters first

Fiji’s political landscape has shifted again with Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu launching a new party, promising to restore public confidence in leadership and put voters ahead of political interests.

The People First Party has been formed following the deregistration of FijiFirst, the party that governed Fiji after winning the 2014 and 2018 elections before losing power in 2022.

Launching the party in Nadi, Seruiratu said the movement was about rebuilding trust and creating a different standard of politics.

"Today is not just the launch of a political party. Today is the moment we put on paper and now put into action a promise that in this country the people come first,” he said.

“Not power, not privilege, not the interests of a few, the people.”.

Seruiratu said the collapse of FijiFirst left thousands without parliamentary representation.

People First Party supporters at the launch in Nadi, Fiji. Photo/ People First Facebook

But he said the MPs who remained chose to stay together and not join other political parties.

"As independent members of parliament, we were free to make our own choices and go our own ways, which we did. But what happens to our voters?.

"Despite the immense pressure and the lucrative offers, we stood our ground because of you that voted us in. We refused to compromise the faith placed in us."

Inia Seruiratu says People First would hold its own members to strict standards before asking voters to trust them with national leadership. Photo/People First Facebook

The new Seruiratu positions his party as a disciplined alternative to the current Fijian leadership, condemning recent policy reversals and public infighting as proof that standards of governance have slipped.

“Confidence has slipped with it and into that gap, this party is stepping forward, not with more slogans, but with a constitution that binds us structurally to the standard we are asking the government to meet,” at the party launch in Nadi, Fiji.

The new party is built around four key areas - integrity, grassroots participation, rule of law, and performance accountability.

Seruiratu said People First would hold its own members to strict standards before asking voters to trust them with national leadership.

“Our constitution sets out clear ethical standards, a disciplinary and ethics committee, and a process for investigating breaches without fear or favour,’ he said.

“That is not decoration. That is how we intend to operate.”

The new party is built around four key areas - integrity, grassroots participation, rule of law, and performance accountability.

He said good governance had to be shown through action, not just promises during election campaigns.

“A nation that respects its own rules is a nation that earns the trust of its own people and the confidence of the world,” he said.

”We are not offering ourselves as saviours in some grand, self-important sense. We are offering ourselves as a party that has written accountability in its own founding rules and intends to be held to them.”

Economic pressure was also a major focus of the launch. Seruiratu warned Fiji's rising debt levels were putting pressure on essential services.

“We cannot cut our way to prosperity by slashing services families depend on, and we cannot borrow our way to prosperity either, piling debt onto our children's shoulders,” he says.

“We need a credible, honest, multi-year plan to bring the deficit down while still investing in the industries that create jobs.”

Economic pressure was also a major focus of the launch with Inia Seruiratu warning that Fiji's rising debt levels were putting pressure on essential services. Photo/People First Facebook

Seruiratu also criticised the current Coalition Government, saying promises of greater transparency and accountability had not been delivered.

"Fijians were promised not long ago a new standard of governance, greater transparency, greater accountability, a cleaner break from the past. Look honestly at where we stand today and ask yourselves whether that promise has been kept," Seruiratu challenged.

"Good governance has been treated these past few years only as a campaign slogan rather than a daily obligation, and Fijians can feel the difference."

He also pledged the party would promote unity across Fiji’s diverse communities including equal opportunity for all citizens.

"Social cohesion for us is not a nice sentiment reserved for the launch today. It is a working principle we intend to be judged on," he said.

"We reject hate speech, discrimination, and divisive rhetoric in our own ranks, in our campaigns, and in our politics more broadly, without exception and without excuses."

The party has pledged to promote unity across Fiji’s diverse communities including equal opportunity for all citizens. Photo/People First Facebook

The launch begins a national consultation process as People First develops its election manifesto.

Fiji’s Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa, says 10 political parties have so far confirmed they will contest the next election, although a date has not yet been announced.

She says the Electoral Commission opened the campaign period on 25 May and parties are being briefed on campaign rules.

“We've also published the locations in which these political parties and potential upcoming candidates could base their campaign materials, especially on public places,” Mataiciwa told PMN News.

“At this stage during our monthly meetings, the political parties are being briefed on the expectation in terms of the rules for campaign, as well as our fusions being informed on what to expect in terms of campaigning.”

Watch People First Party Leader Inia Seruiratu's media address at the launch below.

Meanwhile, Political Sociologist Dr Stenven Ratuva told FBC News ongoing tensions within Fiji’s Coalition Government could increase pressure for an early election.

He says political uncertainty and public concerns over leadership could influence calls for a fresh vote.

But Ratuva warned that an early election may not resolve Fiji’s challenges if the same political players return.