About
Ratu Naiqama Tawakecolati Lalabalavu (Fijian pronunciation: [naiŋɡama taɰakeðolatʃi lalambalaβu]; born 23 December 1953) is a Fijian Paramount Chief and the current President of Fiji. He has served as the leader of the opposition and as Speaker of the Parliament of Fiji.
On 31 October 2024 he was elected President of Fiji; he took office on 12 November 2024.
== Tui Cakau ==
In 1999, Lalabalavu succeeded his late father, Ratu Glanville Lalabalavu, as the Tui Cakau, or Paramount Chief of Cakaudrove and of the Tovata Confederacy, one of three confederacies to which all Fijian tribes belong. He was challenged in court by Ratu Epeli Ganilau, son of former Fijian President Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau who had himself held the Tui Cakau title prior to his death in 1993, but in 2001, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Lalabalavu.
He is a convert to Roman Catholicism.
Lalabalavu is the father of SODELPA Member of Parliament Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu.
== Political career ==
Lalabalavu was elected to represent the Lau-Taveuni-Rotuma Open Constituency in the House of Representatives in 1999 as a candidate of the ruling Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei (SVT), one of only 8 SVT candidates to win seats…
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