Laisenia Qarase

The Right Honourable Laisenia Qarase
Qarase in 2004
Prime Minister of Fiji
In office 16 March 2001 – 5 December 2006
President	Josefa Iloilo
Deputy	Tupeni Baba Epeli Nailatikau Teimumu Kepa
Preceded by	Tevita Momoedonu
Succeeded by	Jona Senilagakali
In office 4 July 2000 – 14 March 2001
President	Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda
Deputy	Epeli Nailatikau
Preceded by	Vacant
Succeeded by	Tevita Momoedonu
Member for Lau
In office 2001–2006
Preceded by	Koila Nailatikau
Succeeded by	Office abolished
Personal details
Born	(1941-02-04)4 February 1941 Vanua Balavu, Colony of Fiji
Died	21 April 2020(2020-04-21) (aged 79) Suva, Fiji
Political party	Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua
Spouse	Leba Qarase (?–2020; his death)
Children	5

Laisenia Qarase (pronounced [lai̯seni̯a ŋɡaˈrase]; 4 February 1941 – 21 April 2020)^[1] was a Fijian politician. He served as the sixth Prime Minister of Fiji from 2000 to 2006. After the military quashed the coup that led to the removal of Mahendra Chaudhry, Qarase joined the Interim Military Government as a financial adviser on 9 June 2000, until his appointment as Prime Minister on 4 July. He won two parliamentary elections, but a military coup removed him from power on 5 December 2006. He was later imprisoned on corruption charges brought by the military-backed regime.

A native of Vanua Balavu Island in the Lau archipelago, he was one of many Lauans to have held top leadership positions in Fiji.