Laisenia Qarase - Former Prime Minister of Fiji, Life Achievements and Life
Laisenia Qarase's Personal Details
Laisenia Qarase was the former Prime Minister of Fiji and founder of the ‘SDL Party’, which is one of the major political parties in the country
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | February 4, 1941 |
| Nationality | Fijian |
| Famous | Socialists, Leaders, Political Leaders, Former Prime Minister of Fiji |
| Ideologies | Socialists |
| Spouses | Leba Qarase |
| Universities |
|
| Birth Place | Vanua Balavu |
| Political Ideology | United Fiji Party (Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua) |
| Gender | Male |
| Sun Sign | Aquarius |
| Born in | Vanua Balavu |
| Famous as | Former Prime Minister of Fiji |
Laisenia Qarase's photo
Who is Laisenia Qarase?
Laisenia Qarase is the former Prime Minister of Fiji. He was born an ethnic Fijian at a time when the leadership and administration of his country was in the hands of another ethnic group. The young lad took advantage of his strict religious upbringing to focus on his education, successfully graduating from a prestigious university in a foreign country. Returning to his homeland, Qarase soon began a stellar career in the banking industry. After a series of promotions to head both commercial and government financial institutions, he was appointed to the Senate. After a short stint in the senate, Qarase assumed the reins of power briefly following a destabilizing coup attempt. A year later, this leader marshaled his political forces and his party swept the democratic elections, launching him into the position of Prime Minister. During his time in power, this politician emphasized greater representation and leadership for his own ethnic group while simultaneously courting cordial relations with foreign countries amenable to his liberalized economic policies. After a successful parliamentary re-election, Qarase's government was overthrown in a military coup. He was then continually harassed by his opponents and was ultimately convicted on corruption charges that many independent observers classify as political persecution. Qarase and his family continue to agitate for democratic and liberal reforms for their homeland.
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Childhood & Early Life
Laisenia Qarase was born February 4, 1941 on Vanua Balava Island in the Lau archipelago of Fiji. His father was Josateki Mate, a member of the local Tota clan. He attended ‘Suva Grammar School’ in Suva, Fiji.
In 1959, Qarase enrolled at the ‘University of Auckland’ in New Zealand. He pursued a course of studies in Commerce.
Career
After graduating, Qarase returned to Fiji to become a private sector banker.
In 1983, he became the managing director of ‘Fiji Development Bank’. He would hold this position for the next 15 years.
From 1992 to 1995, he was the director of a government investment firm named 'Fijian Holdings'. While director, he created a nine-point plan to extend government assistance to ethnic Fijians.
In 1994, he was appointed to be the chairman of ‘Fiji Television, a position he would hold for four years.
In 1998, the investment banker was hired to lead the privately owned ‘Fiji Merchant Bank’.
His political career got a kick start in 1999 when the country's Great Council of Chiefs appointed him to the Senate.
In 2000, he was appointed interim Prime Minister after an attempted coup attempt destabilized the government.
On March 16, 2001, Qarase became the Prime Minister of Fiji. He immediately formed the ‘Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) Party’, which consolidated many other political factions.
On July 18, 2003, the Supreme Court ruled that Laisenia’s exclusion of a rival political group from his cabinet was unconstitutional. Nearly a year later, the Supreme Court mandated that the Prime Minister award 14 out of 30 cabinet posts to the rival party.
On April 13, 2005, Qarase vigorously defended his government's incarceration of two Australian tourists for committing homosexual acts. The crackdown led to widespread global condemnation.
He addressed a prestigious conference on May 13, 2005, saying that poverty was the greatest challenge for development banks. The Prime Minister then severely criticized income imbalances.
On August 29, 2005, he told a meeting of the ‘Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’ that western style democracy was an "alien concept" for his people and that some aspects of it clashed with traditions in Fiji. He then went on to extol the virtues of noble birth.
During the May 6, 2006, Qarase's SDL party narrowly won the elections, allowing him to remain in the position of Prime Minister. On December 4 of the same year, he was ousted in a military coup led by Voreqe "Frank" Bainimarama. No democratic elections have been since held in the country.
In 2005, numerous allegations of corruption were made against the former prime minister. Five years later, he was put on trial.
In 2007, he sued the government for the coup. As a result, martial law was lifted in the country.
On August 3, 2012, Qarase was found guilty of abuse of office and sentenced to one year in prison. He was released eight months later. He continues to perform the duties of an official opposition politician.
Major Works
Laisenia Qarase was the Prime Minister of Fiji from March 16, 2001 to December 4, 2006. Though his second term in office was cut short as a result of an ensuing political turmoil, the political leader as known for his policies aimed at improving the economic conditions in the nation.
Awards & Achievements
On October 30, 2005, Qarase was awarded the ‘Star of Melanesia’ by the head of the government of Papua New Guinea for his promotion of the interests of Melanesian people and commerce throughout the greater Pacific.
Personal Life & Legacy
Laisenia is married to Leba Laveti. Together they have five children. One of their sons moved to the United States while two other sons have emigrated to Australia.
Qarase has been a devoutly religious Christian his entire life. He is personal friends with American evangelist Benny Hinn. Hinn's visit in 2005 to Fiji reportedly drew in 370,000 spectators. Qarase has used his fundamentalist religious views to explain his strong prejudices against homosexuality.
Trivia
Despite being overthrown in a coup and harassed by his political opponents, this political leader has continued to live in Fiji since being deposed.
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Laisenia Qarase biography timelines
- // 4th Feb 1941Laisenia Qarase was born February 4, 1941 on Vanua Balava Island in the Lau archipelago of Fiji. His father was Josateki Mate, a member of the local Tota clan. He attended ‘Suva Grammar School’ in Suva, Fiji.
- // 1959In 1959, Qarase enrolled at the ‘University of Auckland’ in New Zealand. He pursued a course of studies in Commerce.
- // 1983In 1983, he became the managing director of ‘Fiji Development Bank’. He would hold this position for the next 15 years.
- // 1992 To 1995From 1992 to 1995, he was the director of a government investment firm named 'Fijian Holdings'. While director, he created a nine-point plan to extend government assistance to ethnic Fijians.
- // 1994In 1994, he was appointed to be the chairman of ‘Fiji Television, a position he would hold for four years.
- // 1998In 1998, the investment banker was hired to lead the privately owned ‘Fiji Merchant Bank’.
- // 1999His political career got a kick start in 1999 when the country's Great Council of Chiefs appointed him to the Senate.
- // 2000In 2000, he was appointed interim Prime Minister after an attempted coup attempt destabilized the government.
- // 16th Mar 2001On March 16, 2001, Qarase became the Prime Minister of Fiji. He immediately formed the ‘Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) Party’, which consolidated many other political factions.
- // 16th Mar 2001 To 4th Dec 2006Laisenia Qarase was the Prime Minister of Fiji from March 16, 2001 to December 4, 2006. Though his second term in office was cut short as a result of an ensuing political turmoil, the political leader as known for his policies aimed at improving the economic conditions in the nation.
- // 18th Jul 2003On July 18, 2003, the Supreme Court ruled that Laisenia’s exclusion of a rival political group from his cabinet was unconstitutional. Nearly a year later, the Supreme Court mandated that the Prime Minister award 14 out of 30 cabinet posts to the rival party.
- // 2005In 2005, numerous allegations of corruption were made against the former prime minister. Five years later, he was put on trial.
- // 2005Qarase has been a devoutly religious Christian his entire life. He is personal friends with American evangelist Benny Hinn. Hinn's visit in 2005 to Fiji reportedly drew in 370,000 spectators. Qarase has used his fundamentalist religious views to explain his strong prejudices against homosexuality.
- // 13th Apr 2005On April 13, 2005, Qarase vigorously defended his government's incarceration of two Australian tourists for committing homosexual acts. The crackdown led to widespread global condemnation.
- // 13th May 2005He addressed a prestigious conference on May 13, 2005, saying that poverty was the greatest challenge for development banks. The Prime Minister then severely criticized income imbalances.
- // 29th Aug 2005On August 29, 2005, he told a meeting of the ‘Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’ that western style democracy was an "alien concept" for his people and that some aspects of it clashed with traditions in Fiji. He then went on to extol the virtues of noble birth.
- // 30th Oct 2005On October 30, 2005, Qarase was awarded the ‘Star of Melanesia’ by the head of the government of Papua New Guinea for his promotion of the interests of Melanesian people and commerce throughout the greater Pacific.
- // 6th May 2006During the May 6, 2006, Qarase's SDL party narrowly won the elections, allowing him to remain in the position of Prime Minister. On December 4 of the same year, he was ousted in a military coup led by Voreqe "Frank" Bainimarama. No democratic elections have been since held in the country.
- // 2007In 2007, he sued the government for the coup. As a result, martial law was lifted in the country.
- // 3rd Aug 2012On August 3, 2012, Qarase was found guilty of abuse of office and sentenced to one year in prison. He was released eight months later. He continues to perform the duties of an official opposition politician.
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Laisenia Qarase's FAQ
What is Laisenia Qarase birthday?
Laisenia Qarase was born at 1941-02-04
Where is Laisenia Qarase's birth place?
Laisenia Qarase was born in Vanua Balavu
What is Laisenia Qarase nationalities?
Laisenia Qarase's nationalities is Fijian
What is Laisenia Qarase ideologies?
Laisenia Qarase's ideologies is Socialists
Who is Laisenia Qarase spouses?
Laisenia Qarase's spouses is Leba Qarase
What was Laisenia Qarase universities?
Laisenia Qarase studied at University of Auckland, Suva Grammar School
What is Laisenia Qarase's political ideology?
Laisenia Qarase's political ideology is United Fiji Party (Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua)
What is Laisenia Qarase's sun sign?
Laisenia Qarase is Aquarius
How famous is Laisenia Qarase?
Laisenia Qarase is famouse as Former Prime Minister of Fiji