Marcus Stephen

Marcus Stephen, born on October first, nineteen sixty-nine, is a prominent Nauruan politician and former weightlifter. He is the son of Lawrence Stephen, a notable figure in Nauruan politics. Marcus received his education at St Bedes College and RMIT University in Victoria, Australia. Initially, he engaged in Australian rules football before dedicating himself to weightlifting, where he represented Nauru at the Summer Olympics and Commonwealth Games from nineteen ninety to two thousand two, securing seven Commonwealth gold medals.

After retiring from competitive weightlifting, Stephen transitioned into a political career, working at the Bank of Nauru before being elected to parliament in the two thousand three elections. He held various ministerial roles under President René Harris and eventually became President of Nauru in December two thousand seven after successfully moving a no-confidence motion against Ludwig Scotty.

Stephen's presidency was tumultuous, marked by allegations of corruption and accusations of a coup d'état. His administration faced significant challenges, including a state of emergency declared in two thousand eight and a suspension from parliament by the Nauruan Supreme Court. The political landscape further complicated with two elections called in April and June two thousand ten amid bribery accusations, leading to another state of emergency.

In November two thousand eleven, Stephen resigned from the presidency following renewed allegations of corruption from opposition factions, with Freddie Pitcher succeeding him. However, he returned to the Cabinet in June two thousand twelve under President Sprent Dabwido. In a notable comeback, Marcus Stephen was elected as the Speaker of Parliament on August twenty-seventh, two thousand nineteen, during its inaugural session.