This includes people from other races in Fiji, reports Fiji Sun.
Following the state farewell to outgoing President Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu over the weekend, Bainimarama said the next president would be decided at the next cabinet meeting.
“We will decide on who to take up the role of the president in our next cabinet meeting,” he said.
When asked whether the presidency role can be filled by a person of any race as part of the government’s non-racial discrimination policy, Bainimarama said there is a great possibility.
“Yes! Nobody can stop that,” the military chief added.
Ratu Epeli Nailatikau is currently acting in the role following the official retirement of Ratu Josefa on July 31.
Ratu Epeli was earlier appointed by the government as the vice president.
Bainimarama said his government’s new road map is to build a non-racial Fiji and they would work toward that.
In the past, the post of the president and vice president had been specifically reserved for the indigenous Fijians and the appointing authority was the Great Council of Chiefs.
With the abrogation of the constitution, the power of the appointment of the president is with the prime minister and his cabinet.
The executive authority of the state is vested in the president who is the head of state and symbolizes the unity of the state. The president is also the commander-in-chief of the Fiji Military Forces.
Fiji’s first president was the late Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau and he was succeeded by the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.
Outgoing President Ratu Josefa Iloilo is the country’s third.
