Laisenia Qarase

Laisenia Qarase is the prime minister of Fiji. He was appointed in 2000 after the Fiji Coup of 2000 that led to the removal of Mahendra Chaudry, and was later reconfirmed as Prime Minister at a general election in 2001, leading his newly formed United Fiji Party.

He managed the Fiji Development Bank then in 1998 became head of the Fiji Merchant Bank. In 1999 he became a Senator, and an opposition leader to Chaudry.