René Reynaldo Harris, MP (*1948) is the current President of Nauru and has served three terms in the past. He has been an MP for Aiwo since 1977. He is also involved in Nauru's economic apparatus, namely the Nauru Phosphate Corporation and the Nauru Pacific Line.
His government was responsible for the housing of Australian asylum seekers on the island and also Nauru's admission to the United Nations and full membership in the Commonwealth of Nations. Mr. Harris has been criticized by the Nauruan opposition party (Naoero Amo) and the international community for corruption and violations of human rights.
Mr. Harris was quoted as saying he was re-elected by the nation's parliament because the MPs "didn't see the light" with his predecessor, Ludwig Scotty. Harris successfully broke the Nauruan government's deadlock when he was able to pass legislation through parliament in 2003.
Mr. Harris receives monthly kidney dialysis treatment for his diabetes in Melbourne. His health is a major concern because diabetes ended the life of one of his political opponents, Bernard Dowiyogo, at the age of 57 in early 2003. In December 2003, Harris collapsed in Nauru's parliament building and was revived by Dr. Kieren Keke.
See also