For the first time since 2014, Frank Bainimarama’s Fiji First party has failed to win the majority needed to form a government.

Bainimarama has been in power in Fiji since seizing control in the 2006 coup, and via democratic elections from 2014 on.

According to the Fiji Elections Office Bainimarama’s Fiji First party has 26 seats, the People’s Alliance party has 21 seats, the National Federation party has 5 seats and the Social Democratic Liberal party has 3 seats.

To form a government, 28 seats are needed.

“Bainimarama will now need to woo at least one of the three opposition party leaders to join him if he is to remain in power,” reports RNZ.

“The People’s Alliance Party – led by former prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka – and the National Federation Party – led by Biman Prasad – formed a pre-election coalition and are unlikely targets for the Fiji First leader.

“But Sodelpa [the Social Democratic Liberal party], led by Viliame Gavoka, made no such pre-election promises.”