Mads Anneberg
AUCKLAND (Pacific Scoop / Pacific Media Watch): Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama was treated to a warm welcome when speaking in Manukau in South Auckland at the weekend as part of the Fiji First campaign heading into next month’s general election.
The vast majority of the audience was positive towards the coup leader, cheering and clapping when he spoke of the changes he says his administration has brought about in Fiji since his military backed government seized control in 2006.
The news media were barred from asking questions, but a member of the public asked for assurance that there would not be another coup following the election.
“You vote me into Parliament and there will be no coup,” Bainimarama laughed.
Before the election meeting began, a group of Fiji pro-democracy protesters were escorted out of the Manukau Events Centre premises.
Bainimarama flew in from Fiji on Friday night for the elections meeting on Saturday, attended by about 1000 people.
The Fiji post-coup general election is on September 17.
Bainimarama doesn't care if he is called a dictator
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Mads Anneberg
