The provision for a multiparty cabinet was a departure from the usual Westminster model, which Fiji had previously followed.

The 1997 constitutional convention decided that a multiparty cabinet would be the best way of ensuring representation of all ethnic communities, as well as of encouraging cooperation among their leaders.

In practice, this constitutional requirement for a multiparty cabinet has never been strictly observed.

That cannot happen, however, until opposition parties sign up to the plan, which also foresees a new, multiparty cabinet and greatly reduced powers for the president.

Experts give him good marks for cobbling together a multiparty cabinet that may blunt some opposition.

In 2006 she served as the Minister for Commerce and the Minister for Industry in the multiparty cabinet of Laisenia Qarase.

Previous Strike Proved Potent A two-hour stoppage last Monday was observed throughout the country and is widely believed to have been the catalyst for the dramatic steps of recent days, including the Government's pledge to name a multiparty cabinet.

Claiming that a multiparty cabinet in the current circumstances would be unworkable, Qarase proceeded to defy the spirit of the constitution by including no FLP members in his 18-strong cabinet.

He said he would propose a new multiparty cabinet to Parliament as soon as possible to run the country until the next elections, which are expected either this fall or next spring.

They are bent on achieving what the French call cohabitation - an arrangement in which Mr. Gorbachev remains head of state but accepts a multiparty cabinet.