Solomon Islands lawmakers chose a new prime minister on Thursday (May 2), naming Foreign Affairs Minister Jeremiah Manele, who pledged to improve relations with China, according to Euractiv.
Manele garnered 31 votes against 18 for opposition leader Matthew Wales, Governor General Sir David Vunagi reported. Manele declared before parliament on Thursday that “the people have spoken” and called for calm, noting Solomon Islands’ history of post-election violence:
Today we show the world we are better than that – we must respect the democratic process for electing our prime minister.
Incumbent Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who forged close ties with Beijing during his five years in power but only held his seat by a narrow margin last month, did not seek re-election to the top political post, and his party backed Manele.
China, the US and neighbouring Australia are monitoring the election closely due to the potential impact on regional security after Sogavare has signed a security pact with China in 2022.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that he expected to co-operate closely with Manele:
Australia and Solomon Islands are close friends and our futures are connected.
Lowy Institute research fellow Mihai Sora, a former Australian diplomat in the Solomon Islands, claimed Manele had “a strong track record of working well with all international partners” compared to Sogavare, who was “a polarising figure.” Australian National University’s Pacific expert Graeme Smith noted that Manele was capable and “a big change in style” for the Solomon Islands.
Manele’s OUR party, which had promised to build more infrastructure, won 15 seats and four more as part of a revitalised coalition with two minor parties. It needed the support of independent candidates to win a majority in the 50-seat parliament. A total of 49 votes were cast with one deputy absent.
