Laisenia Qarase

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Laisenia Qarase (2004)

Laisenia Qarase [ ŋɡaˈrase ] (born February 4, 1941 in Vanua Balavu , † April 21, 2020 in Suva ) was the Prime Minister of Fiji between 2000 and 2006 . He ran for the second time in 2006 for the ruling party SDL ( Fijian People's Party ) and was re-elected on May 18, 2006 with a narrow absolute majority. His ruling party won 36 out of 71 seats in the House of Representatives.

Qarase studied economics at the University of Auckland , New Zealand . From 1983 he headed the Development Bank and from 1998 the Commercial Bank of Fiji. In 1999 he was appointed senator. After the failed coup by nationalist leader George Speight in May 2000 , Qarase was installed as head of an interim government on July 3.

On March 15, 2001, he dissolved parliament and scheduled new elections for August 25. He won the vote with the indigenous Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua party and was sworn in as head of government on September 10, 2001.

In early December 2006 , the army launched a coup against him. The army chief of the Fiji Islands, "Frank" Bainimarama , had large parts of the police disarmed on December 4th and posted his soldiers at strategically important points in the capital Suva . In a “press conference” at which no questions were allowed, he avoided speaking of a takeover, although he is said to have already formed a transitional cabinet.

After the military coup at the end of 2006, he withdrew from politics.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/414735/laisenia-qarase-former-fiji-pm-bookended-by-coups-dies-at-79
  2. ↑ Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung : Further preparations for a coup in Fiji , December 4, 2006
  3. ^ Neue Zürcher Zeitung : South Sea Democracy from the gun barrel December 5, 2006
personal data
SURNAME Qarase, Laisenia
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Fijian politician, Prime Minister of Fiji
DATE OF BIRTH February 4, 1941
PLACE OF BIRTH Vanua Balavu
DATE OF DEATH April 21, 2020
Place of death Suva