President of Nauru
On 10 November 2011, incumbent Nauru President Marcus Stephen resigned from the presidency amid corruption allegations. Opposition MPs had accused Stephen of seeking to illegally profit from a phosphate deal. Specifically, opposition leader David Adeang accused Stephen of soliciting potential kickbacks from Thai businesspeople looking to buy phosphates in Nauru. Stephen called the charges "unwarranted and mischievous." He resigned the presidency, but remained in parliament.
Frederick Pitcher, who had previously served as Minister for Commerce, Industry and Environment, became the new President of Nauru on the same day as Stephen's resignation. Pitcher was elected President by the same nine members of parliament who had supported the outgoing Stephen government. Mathew Batsiua, the former health minister, was also named Nauru's new foreign minister, replacing Kieren Keke. Pitcher retained Stephen in his cabinet reshuffle.
Pitcher dismissed corruption allegations against Stephen as baseless upon taking office, telling reporters, "There was no evidence or proof. I think Marcus himself felt that this whole discussion had become a distraction to parliament and to government and he offered to resign. I think he did a noble thing and I applaud him for it. So far allegations I think they were only allegations. I saw nothing to prove they were anything other than false allegations."
Pitcher's presidency was not expected to affect the Australian opposition's plan to open a new immigration center in Nauru. After the defection of one of his supporters Pitcher lost a parliamentary vote of confidence and the presidency on 15 November. Sprent Dabwido was elected as his successor.
Read more about this topic: Freddie Pitcher
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