2024-05-03 19:19:24
Honiara: Solomon Islands lawmakers have elected former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele as their new Prime Minister. Jeremiah Manele is considered a leader close to China like Mohammed Muizzu. Jeremiah has promised to continue the Pacific nation’s policy of embracing China after the victory. Manele said outside parliament on Thursday that “the people have spoken” and called for peace. “I humbly stand before you as your elected Prime Minister. We must respect and uphold the democratic process,” he said.
How did Jeremiah Manele become Prime Minister?
Previous Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare withdrew from the contest this week and endorsed Manele after failing to win a majority in last month’s election. Manele was foreign minister in 2019 when Sogavare’s government turned its back on Taiwan and established diplomatic ties with Beijing. Solomon Islands police on Thursday increased security in the capital, Honiara, ahead of the prime ministerial election. In this election, MPs cast secret ballot for the candidate of their choice.
How many votes did Jeremiah Manele get?
After the voting, the country’s Governor General, Sir David Vunagi, announced outside Parliament that Manele had received 31 votes against opposition leader Matthew Wells’ 18 votes. The election of the Prime Minister was to be held along with the swearing in of Parliament as well as the election of the Speaker. During national elections held in April, no party in the Solomon Islands received an absolute majority. In such a situation, MPs from both camps had cast secret ballot to elect the candidate of their choice. Therefore, candidates of both the parties tried to get the support of independent MPs.
Increased concern of America and Australia
The survey is being closely watched by China, the US and neighboring Australia because of the potential impact on regional security after Sogavare signs a security pact with China in 2022. The Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, congratulated Manele. “I look forward to working closely with them,” he wrote. “Australia and the Solomon Islands are close friends and our futures are linked.”
Independent MPs voted for Jeremiah Manele
Lowy Institute research fellow Mihai Sora, a former Australian diplomat in the Solomon Islands, said Manley had “a strong track record of working well with all international partners”. The new prime minister’s Our Party has promised to build more infrastructure and won 15 seats, gaining four in a renewed alliance with two micro-parties. It needed the support of independents to reach 26 seats for a majority in the 50-seat parliament.