Strong support for coup leader as protesters picket NZ rally

Poll shows strong support for coup leader as protesters picket NZ rally

AUCKLAND (Fiji Times / Pacific Scoop / Pacific Media Watch): Three out of five Fiji Islanders want to see coup leader Voreqe Bainimarama elected as prime minister next month, according to a new opinion poll published today while protesters picketed his Fiji First rally in Auckland.

The Tebbutt-Fiji Times poll showed that support for Bainimarama remained strong among the voting public.

According to a report by Shalveen Chand in today’s Fiji Times, Bainimarama, who commanded the 2006 coup, decisively leads SODELPA leader Ro Teimumu Kepa in the preferred prime minister category:

When asked who they would prefer to see succeed as prime minister if there was an election held tomorrow, survey respondents answered openly and could suggest any person they wished.

Bainimarama clearly leads this measure, being chosen by three out of five people or by 60 percent, and holding a majority across both genders and all age groups.

However, this is a decrease of 6 percent from the initial Tebbutt-Times polls conducted in May.

Ro Teimumu Kepa scored 17 percent — double what was recorded previously.

Completing the remainder of preferences are National Federation Party leader Biman Prasad at 3 percent overall, followed by Fiji Labour Party president Lavinia Padarath and Peoples’ Democratic Party leader Felix Anthony who had 1 percent each, and FLP’s Monica Raghwan and Ratu Epeli Ganilau on less than 1 per cent each.

Ten per cent were unsure and 7 percent unwilling to provide an answer.

Missing from the choices for prime minister is FLP leader Mahendra Chaudhry and SODELPA stalwart Laisenia Qarase.

Meanwhile, in Auckland today about 30 protesters holding placards and Fiji flags marched in Manukau to the Vodafone Events Centre where Bainimarama was due to arrive for the Fiji First election rally.

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