Solomon Islands picks China-friendly Manele as new prime minister

2/5/2024 12:05

        Solomon Islands lawmakers selected a new prime minister on Thursday, choosing foreign minister Jeremiah Manele, who has pledged to continue the Pacific Island nation's foreign policy that drew it closer to China.
        
        Governor General Sir David Vunagi announced outside parliament house that Manele had won 31 votes, to Opposition leader Matthew Wales' 18 votes. Police boosted security in the capital Honiara as newly elected lawmakers arrived at parliament on Thursday to vote in a secret ballot.
        
        A national election last month saw incumbent Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare's government lose half of its seats but failed to deliver a majority to any political party, and two camps lobbied to win support from independents ahead of the vote for prime minister.
        
        The election is being closely watched by China, the U.S. and neighbouring Australia because of the potential impact on regional security, after Sogavare struck a controversial security pact with China in 2022.
        
        Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he looked forward to working closely with Manele. He wrote on social media platform X, "Australia and Solomon Islands are close friends and our futures are connected."