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National Federation Party leader Biman Prasad called it an historic outcome, saying the people had chosen “a new way, a new path and a new government”.
“The leaders are pleased to be able to give the people of Fiji a Christmas present of a strong and united coalition government ready to respond to their call for change,” he said.
“We promise the people of Fiji that a new era will be starting.”
Both leaders also thanked the prime minister and the FijiFirst government, who are yet to officially concede the election.
The result ends Bainimarama’s almost 16-year reign after he instigated a coup in 2006 and installed himself as prime minister the year after.
Bainimarama led FijiFirst to two democratic victories in 2014 and 2018 but failed to secure a majority at last week’s election.
Fijian Prime Minsiter Bainimarama Josaia Voreqe after he casts his vote on December 14 in Suva.Credit:Getty
FijiFirst will command 26 seats in the expanded 55-member parliament while People’s Alliance will have 21, the National Federation five and SODELPA three.
FijiFirst secured 42.5 per cent of the vote, while People’s Alliance took 36 per cent, the National Federation Party nine per cent and SODELPA more than five per cent.
SODELPA campaigned on free tertiary education, $159 million ($A106 million) a year for Indigenous affairs and extra protections for Indigenous land rights.
The party’s religiously conservative leader Viliame Gavoka had also demanded an embassy in Jerusalem, arguing Fiji needs to lean into its Christian principles.
SODELPA vice president Anare Jale said making one of the party’s three members - likely Gavoka - the deputy prime minister despite being the smallest in the coalition was also discussed with People’s Alliance.
But details of the final agreement remain scarce.
The Multinational Observer Group said it has not observed “any significant irregularities or issues during pre-polling, postal voting or election day voting” after electoral concerns were raised by People’s Alliance, the NFP and other opposition parties.
Rabuka had seized on an election night glitch in the results app to denounce faith in the Fijian Elections Office and called for the military to be deployed to observe a fair counting process.
The army commander refused to intervene in the election.
AAP