Jeremiah Manele, a former foreign minister, has been elected as the new Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands. In a secret ballot, Manele received 31 votes, securing victory over his opponent, longtime opposition leader Matthew Wale, who garnered 18 votes. The 50-member parliament vote took place amidst heightened security in the capital, Honiara, with police presence to deter potential unrest.
Manele expressed his appreciation for the absence of violence, a contrast to past experiences. His appointment as Prime Minister follows a national election last month that resulted in no party securing a majority. The election drew attention from China, the United States, and neighboring Australia, as outgoing Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare had previously established a security pact with China.
Prime Minister Sogavare, who had forged close ties with China during his 5-year tenure, did not seek reelection. However, his party maintained strong support for Manele. In 2019, as foreign minister, Manele played a pivotal role in the Solomon Islands’ decision to sever diplomatic relations with Taiwan and establish them with Beijing.
