{{short description|Deregistered political party in Fiji}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox political party | name = FijiFirst | native_name = iMatai ni Viti<br>{{no bold|फिजी प्रथम}} | logo = FijiFirst logo.png | logo_size = 249px | colorcode = {{party color|FijiFirst Party}} | abbreviation = FF | leader = Frank Bainimarama | chairperson = | president = Tema Varo<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nand|first=Edwin|title=FijiFirst appoints new party President|url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fijifirst-appoints-new-party-president/|access-date=2021-11-21|website=Fiji Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref> | secretary_general = Faiyaz Koya (acting) | spokesperson = | founder = | founded = {{start date and age|2014|03|31|df=y}} | registered = {{start date and age|2014|05|30|df=y}} | dissolved = {{start date and age|2024|07|1|df=y}} | predecessor = | merged = | successor = | headquarters = 96 Brown Street, Suva | newspaper = | student_wing = | youth_wing = FijiFirst Youth | membership_year = | membership = | ideology = {{plainlist| * Populism<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lal |first1=Brij V.|date=18 November 2014 |title=In Frank Bainimarama's Shadow: Fiji, Elections and the Future |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00223344.2014.977518 |journal=The Journal of Pacific History |publisher=Taylor & Francis |volume=49 |issue=4 |page=467 |doi=10.1080/00223344.2014.977518 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126034219/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00223344.2014.977518 |archive-date=26 January 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://researchprofiles.anu.edu.au/en/publications/bonapartism-in-the-south-pacific-the-bainimarama-government-in-fi |title=Bonapartism in the South Pacific: The Bainimarama Government in Fiji |last=MacWilliam |first=Scott |date=2015 |website=researchprofiles.anu.edu.au |publisher=Australian National University |page=6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130025115/https://researchprofiles.anu.edu.au/en/publications/bonapartism-in-the-south-pacific-the-bainimarama-government-in-fi |archive-date=30 November 2021 }}</ref> * Liberalism<ref>{{cite book |editor-last1=Ratuva |editor-first1=Steven |editor-last2=Lawson |editor-first2=Stephanie |date=March 2016 |title=The people have spoken: The 2014 elections in Fiji |url=https://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p337333/pdf/book.pdf |url-status=live |publisher=ANU Press |page=149 |isbn=978-17604-6001-3 |doi=10.22459/TPHS.03.2016 |doi-access=free |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407143830/https://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p337333/pdf/book.pdf |archive-date=7 April 2019 }}</ref> * Neoliberalism<ref>{{cite web | title=Fijian Interim Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama: Fiji's youth call on you to include our voice in the Mining Act review now | url=https://www.pazifik-infostelle.org/news/6416187.html }}</ref> * Progressive authoritarianism<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Hodge | first1=Paul | title=A Progressive Authoritarianism? The case of post-2006 Fiji | journal=Third World Quarterly | date=2012 | volume=33 | issue=6 | pages=1147–1163 | doi=10.1080/01436597.2012.681493 | jstor=41507228 | url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41507228 }}</ref> * Secularism<ref>{{cite news |last1=Talei |first1=Akosita |date=20 October 2018 |title=Fiji to stay secular state: Bainimarama |url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-to-stay-secular-state-bainimarama/ |url-status=live |work=Fijian Broadcasting Corporation |publisher= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126213010/https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-to-stay-secular-state-bainimarama/ |archive-date=26 November 2022 }}</ref> * Multiculturalism<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ramesh |first1=Sanjay |date=December 2015 |title=Fiji's Electoral Strategies: A Comparative Perspective |url=https://lir.byuh.edu/index.php/pacific/article/view/3204/3140 |journal=Pacific Studies |publisher=Brigham Young University–Hawaii |isbn=978-0-939154-77-7 |volume=38 |issue=3 |page=329 }}</ref> * Multiracialism<ref>{{cite web | title=The Fiji coup and the politics of ethnicity • Inside Story | date=7 October 2009 | url=https://insidestory.org.au/the-fiji-coup-and-the-politics-of-ethnicity/ }}</ref> * Anti-ethnic nationalism<ref>{{cite web | title=Fiji deserves better | date=17 October 2024 | url=https://www.ips-journal.eu/topics/democracy-and-society/fiji-deserves-better-7850/ }}</ref> * Pro-privatisation<ref>{{cite web | title=Fiji: Elections and the slow path to democracy | Lowy Institute | url=https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/fiji-elections-slow-path-democracy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=The difficulties of a dictator: Frank's vision of Fiji by 2014 | East Asia Forum | date=2 July 2009 | url=https://eastasiaforum.org/2009/07/02/the-difficulties-of-a-dictator-franks-vision-of-fiji-by-2014/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Tears in court as Fiji's former PM and coup leader Frank Bainimarama sentenced to one year in jail | work=ABC News | date=9 May 2024 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-09/frank-bainimarama-sentenced-to-jail-fiji-court/103791144 }}</ref> }} | position = Centre | religion = | national = | international = | colours = {{color box|#38C5F3|border=silver}} Light blue | slogan = ''The best future for all Fijians'' | seats1_title = Parliament <!--| seats1 = {{Composition bar|26|55|hex={{party color|FijiFirst Party}}}}-->| website = {{URL|http://fijifirst.com}} | country = Fiji }} {{Frank Bainimarama series}} '''FijiFirst''' ('''FF''', {{langx|fj|iMatai ni Viti}}; {{langx|hif|फिजी प्रथम}}) was a liberal political party in Fiji. The party was formed in March 2014 by then Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama. It was deregistered on 1 July 2024.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fijifirst-deregistered/ |title=FijiFirst deregistered |publisher=FBC News |author=Kreetika Kumar |date=1 July 2024 |access-date=1 July 2024}}</ref>
==Formation and history== The party was launched on 31 March 2014 with Bainimarama beginning a nationwide tour of the country in a campaign bus to collect the obligatory 5000 signatures necessary to register a political party.<ref name="http://www.fijitimes.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=264241 |title= 'I want a new Fiji' - Fiji Times Online |access-date=2014-04-26 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140409093909/http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=264241 |archive-date=2014-04-09 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The party collected over 40,000 signatures for its registration.<ref name=FBCDereg>{{cite web|url= http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/243469/fiji's-bainimarama-lodges-party-application |title=Fiji's Bainimarama lodges party application - Radio New Zealand News |date=5 May 2014 |access-date=2014-05-08 }}</ref>
Bainimarama says FijiFirst is a name that encompasses his political beliefs.<!--which are...?--><ref>{{cite web|url= http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2014/03/fijifirst-proposed-as-bainimaramas-new-party-name-for-elections/ |title=Pacific.scoop.co.nz » Fiji First unveiled as Bainimarama's new party name for elections |access-date= 2014-04-26 }}</ref> He announced his first candidate as party president Jiko Luveni.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/242559/fiji-first-registration-now-weeks-away |title=Fiji First registration now weeks away - Radio New Zealand News |date=25 April 2014 |access-date=2014-04-26 }}</ref>
The party appointed former Fiji Labour Party senator Bijai Prasad as one of its Vice Presidents as well as the current Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum as the party General secretary. Bijai Prasad resigned as VP a day later citing a criminal conviction for larceny in the 1980s for which he had served jail time.<ref name="http://fijilive.com">{{cite web |url=http://fijilive.com/news/2014/05/fijifirst-man-quits-over-criminal-record/57539/ |title=FijiFirst man quits over criminal record |access-date=2014-05-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508102136/http://fijilive.com/news/2014/05/fijifirst-man-quits-over-criminal-record/57539/ |archive-date=2014-05-08 }}</ref> The Tui Macuata, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere was also selected as a vice president of the party. Vimlesh Kumar who is an accountant and an affiliate member of CPA Australia is listed as the treasurer.<ref name="http://www.fijivillage.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.fijivillage.com/?mod=story |title=I did not have to think twice - Tui Macuata |access-date= 2014-05-08 }}</ref>
The party's application for registration resulted in six complaints,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/246069/fiji-first-party-approval-outlined |title=Fiji First Party approval outlined |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2014-06-02 |access-date=2014-06-03}}</ref> including one claiming that "Fiji 1st" was previously used by another party.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/245946/fiji-elections-supervisor-rejects-party-name-objection |title=Fiji First party registration decried |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2014-05-31 |access-date=2014-06-03}}</ref> Despite this, the party was registered on 30 May 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/article_xinhua.aspx?id=221601 |title=Fijian PM's Fiji First party officially registered |publisher=Shanghai Daily |date=2014-05-30 |access-date=2014-06-03}}</ref>
===2014 election=== The party released its first batch of 21 candidates on July 25, 2014<ref name=first21>{{cite news|last1=Swamy|first1=Nasik|title=FijiFirst candidates|url=http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=275411|access-date=26 July 2014|publisher=Fiji Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924044004/http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=275411|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> with Frank Bainimarama heading the list. As a result of the 2014 Fijian general elections, the party won 293,714 votes, 59.2% of all those who voted (495,105 voters), giving the party a clear majority with 32 of the 50 Parliamentary seats.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.electionsfiji.gov.fj/2014-election-results/ |title=2014 Election Results |publisher=Fiji Elections Office |access-date=2014-09-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921200245/http://www.electionsfiji.gov.fj/2014-election-results/ |archive-date=2014-09-21 }}</ref>
===2018 election=== The party ran 51 candidates in the 2018 elections, ten of which were women.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/368761/six-political-parties-to-contest-fijian-elections |title=Six political parties to contest Fijian elections |publisher=RNZ |date=16 October 2018 |access-date=16 October 2018}}</ref> FijiFirst won the 2018 general elections with a reduced majority from the 2014 elections. FijiFirst accumulated 227,241 of the votes that resulted on the party gaining 50.02% that allocated to 27 seats enough for the party to govern alone within a slim majority.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fijitimes.com/2018-general-election-fijifirst-wins-and-will-form-next-government/ |title=2018 General Election: FijiFirst wins and will form next government|publisher=The Fiji Times |date=18 November 2018 |access-date=18 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fijitimes.com/2018-general-election-fijifirst-secures-27-seats-to-form-government/ |title=2018 General Election: FijiFirst secures 27 seats to form government |author=Talebula Kate |publisher=Fiji Times |date=18 November 2018 |access-date=18 November 2018}}</ref>
===2022 election=== Despite remaining the first party in the 2022 election FijiFirst saw its vote share reducing again down to 42.55%, causing the party to lose its majority in the Parliament.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fijivillage |title=Final results out with no party securing more than 50 percent of the total votes in the 2022 general elections |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Final-results-out-with-no-party-securing-more-than-50-percent-of-the-total-votes-in-the-2022-general-elections-5xf48r/ |access-date=2022-12-18 |website=www.fijivillage.com |language=en}}</ref> With only 3 seats the SODELPA emerged as kingmaker,<ref>{{Cite web |title=SODELPA is kingmaker |url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fijian-elections/sodelpa-is-kingmaker/ |access-date=2022-12-18 |website=Fiji Broadcasting Corporation |archive-date=18 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218063919/https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fijian-elections/sodelpa-is-kingmaker/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and after 6 days of negotiations it decided to support a PAP-led cabinet, effectively ending FijiFirst's eight-year tenure and Bainimarama's 16-year premiership.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-20 |title=Fiji has a new coalition government; Rabuka to be PM |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/481170/fiji-has-a-new-coalition-government-rabuka-to-be-pm |access-date=2022-12-20 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}</ref>
On 29 March 2023, Inia Seruiratu was elected as the Leader of the Opposition taking over from Frank Bainimarama.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Seruiratu-elected-Opposition-Leader-xr4f58/ |title=Seruiratu elected Opposition Leader |work=Fijivillage |date= 29 March 2023 |access-date=29 March 2023}}</ref> However, Bainimarama remained party leader.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kumar |first1=Kreetika |title=Bainimarama remains Party Leader |url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/bainimarama-remains-party-leader/ |access-date=9 May 2024 |work=Fijian Broadcasting Corporation |date=9 May 2024}}</ref>
On 18 May 2023 the party was suspended and prohibiting from acting as a political party for 30 days for failing to submit annual accounts.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fijitimes.com/four-fiji-political-parties-suspended-for-30-days-over-accounts/ |title=Four Fiji political parties suspended for 30 days over accounts |publisher=Fiji Times |date=18 May 2023 |access-date=18 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/FijiFirst-New-Generation-Party-and-All-Peoples-Party-social-media-accounts-have-gone-offline-54xfr8/ |title=FijiFirst, New Generation Party and All People's Party social media accounts have gone offline |publisher=Fiji Village |date=18 May 2023 |access-date=18 May 2023}}</ref> The suspension was lifted on 9 June after the party submitted audited accounts.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/FEO-lifts-suspension-of-FijiFirst--r458xf/ |title=FEO lifts suspension of FijiFirst |publisher=Fiji Village |date=9 June 2023 |access-date=9 June 2023}}</ref>
On 11 December 2023 Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum resigned as general secretary of the FijiFirst party.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/sayed-khaiyum-resigns-as-fijifirst-gs-koya-is-acting-gs/ |title=Sayed-Khaiyum resigns as FijiFirst GS |publisher=FBC News |author=Jale Daucakacaka |date=11 December 2023 |access-date=10 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/504437/fijifirst-general-secretary-aiyaz-sayed-khaiyum-resigns-launches-criticism-against-government |title=FijiFirst general secretary Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum resigns, launches criticism against government |publisher=RNZ |date=11 December 2023 |access-date=10 December 2023}}</ref>
==Collapse and dissolution== On 31 May 2024 FijiFirst sacked 17 of its 26 MPs after they voted to increase their salaries against a party directive.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/518355/fiji-s-main-opposition-fijifirst-sacks-17-mps-who-voted-for-pay-rise |title=Fiji's main opposition FijiFirst sacks 17 MPs who voted for pay rise |publisher=RNZ |date=31 May 2024 |access-date=10 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fijifirst-mps-terminated/ |title=FijiFirst MPs terminated |publisher=FBC News |date=31 May 2024 |access-date=10 June 2024}}</ref> When the MPs announced they would challenge their removal from Parliament, the party's administration, including party president Ratu Joji Satalaka, vice Presidents Selai Adimaitoga and Ravindran Nair, acting general secretary Faiyaz Koya, treasurer Hem Chand, as well as founding members Frank Bainimarama, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, and Salesh Kumar all resigned.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/519137/fijifirst-party-founders-frank-bainimarama-sayed-khaiyum-and-others-resign |title=FijiFirst party founders Frank Bainimarama, Sayed-Khaiyum and others resign |publisher=RNZ |date=10 June 2024 |access-date=10 June 2024}}</ref> On 14 June Speaker of the House Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu ruled that the 17 MPs were not disqualified, as FijiFirst's notification was signed by Bainimarama, who as a convicted criminal could not exercise any functions in a registered political party.<ref name=FV2024a>{{cite web |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Speaker-decides-17-FijiFirst-MPs-keep-their-seats-and-refers-Bainimarama-and-Koya-for-alleged-probable-breaches--5r4xf8/ |title=Speaker decides 17 FijiFirst MPs keep their seats, and refers Bainimarama and Koya for alleged probable breaches |publisher=Fiji Village |author= Vijay Narayan |date=14 June 2024 |access-date=15 June 2024}}</ref> During the dispute the registrar of political parties was informed that the party did not have a legally-required dispute resolution mechanism in its constitution, and threatened to dissolve it if this was not remedied.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/519361/fijifirst-resignations-shocking-supporters-let-down-says-professor |title=FijiFirst resignations 'shocking' - Supporters 'let down', says professor |publisher=RNZ |date=12 June 2024 |access-date=1 July 2024}}</ref> The party was deregistered on 1 July 2024,<ref name=FBCDereg/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/FijiFirst-Party-de-registered-485frx/ |title=FijiFirst Party de-registered |publisher=Fiji Village |author= Vijay Narayan |date=1 July 2024 |access-date=1 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/no-more-party-feo-deregisters-fijifirst/ |title=No more party : FEO deregisters FijiFirst |publisher=Fiji Times |author=Shayal Devi |date=2 July 2024 |access-date=2 July 2024}}</ref> its MPs becoming independents.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fijisun.com.fj/2024/07/02/fijifirst-party-deregistered-opposition-to-serve-as-independent-mps/ |title=FijiFirst Party Deregistered, Opposition to Serve as Independent MPs |publisher=Fiji Sun |author=Jone Salusalu |date=2 July 2024 |access-date=2 July 2024}}</ref>
== Electoral history ==
=== Parliamentary elections === {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" !Election !Party leader !Votes !% !Seats !+/– !Position !Result |- |2014 | rowspan="3" |Frank Bainimarama |293,714 |59.17% |{{Composition bar|32|50|hex={{party color|FijiFirst Party}} }} |{{increase}} 32 |{{increase}} 1st |{{Yes2|Majority government}} |- |2018 |227,241 |52.94% |{{Composition bar|27|51|hex={{party color|FijiFirst Party}} }} |{{decrease}} 5 |{{steady}} 1st |{{Yes2|Majority government}} |- |2022 |200,246 |42.55% |{{Composition bar|26|55|hex={{party color|FijiFirst Party}} }} |{{decrease}} 1 |{{steady}} 1st |{{No2|Opposition}} |}
== References == {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== *[https://fijifirst.com/ Official website]
{{Fiji First}} {{Political parties in Fiji}}
Category:2014 establishments in Fiji Category:Political parties established in 2014 Category:Political parties disestablished in 2024 Category:2024 disestablishments in Fiji Category:Defunct political parties in Fiji Category:Social liberal parties Category:Populist parties