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For 17 years after independence, Fiji was a parliamentary democracy. During that time, political life was dominated by Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara and the Alliance Party, which combined the traditional Fijian chiefly system with leading elements of the European, part-European, and Indian communities. The main parliamentary opposition, the National Federation Party, represented mainly rural Indo-Fijians. Intercommunal relations were managed without serious confrontation. However, when Dr. Bavadra's coalition democratically installed a cabinet with substantial ethnic Indian representation after the April 1987 election, extremist elements played on ethnic Fijian fears of domination by the Indo-Fijian community. The racial situation took a turn for the worse from which it has yet to fully recover. Three coups, two discarded Constitutions, and political and economic uncertainty have been the result.
One of the main issues of contention is land tenure. Indigenous Fijian communities very closely identify themselves with their land. In 1909 the land ownership pattern was frozen by the British and further sales prohibited. Today more than 80% of the land is held by indigenous Fijians, under the collective ownership of the traditional Fijian clans. Indo-Fijians produce more than 75% of the sugar crop but, in most cases, must lease the land they work from its ethnic Fijian owners instead of being able to buy it outright.
The long-term leases provided for under the 1976 Agricultural Landlord and Tenants Act (ALTA) began to expire in the late 1990s, and some indigenous landowners have declined to renew the leases of their land to others. Many displaced Indo-Fijian farmers are moving to urban centers to look for jobs, and some land is falling out of production. The continued impasse over ALTA is adversely affecting the sugar industry. The Indo-Fijian parties' major voting bloc is made up of sugarcane farmers, and the farmers' main tool of influence has been their ability to galvanize widespread boycotts of the sugar industry, thereby crippling the economy.
Prime Minister Qarase and FLP leader (and former Prime Minister) Mahendra Chaudhry have resumed dialogue on critical issues affecting the country, including the ALTA. Mounting pressure from nearly every sector of the community is forcing these leaders to put aside their personal differences and work for the betterment of the country.
The next parliamentary elections are not due until 2006, although the government could call a "snap" election before then.
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