Jeremiah Manele was chosen the new Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands in a secret ballot on Thursday. Manele, who is presently the foreign minister, has vowed to retain the country’s foreign policy, which has seen it strengthen ties with China. Governor General Sir David Vunagi made the news outside Parliament House, stating that Manele received 31 votes, while Opposition Leader Matthew Wales received 18.
According to Reuters, security measures were tightened in Honiara’s capital city when freshly elected legislators met in parliament to vote.
Last month’s national election produced no majority for any political party, prompting intense lobbying from two factions seeking support from independent members ahead of the prime ministerial ballot.
The election results have clear regional consequences, with China, the United States, and nearby Australia closely observing developments. This renewed interest originates from the security agreement signed by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare with China in 2022 during his reign.
Sogvare, who built close connections with Beijing during his five years in office, chose not to run for reelection, and his party backed Manel. Addressing reporters outside parliament, Manele stated, “We must show the world that we are better than that”.
“Today, we must respect the democratic process of electing our Prime Minister,” Manele said, noting previous cases of post-election violence in the Solomon Islands, as reported by Reuters.
According to the report, Manele also revealed the government’s plans to prioritise economic recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic and the 2021 anti-government riots. Manele also mentioned upcoming plans on taxation, forests, and mining,
