Solomon Islands Elects Jeremiah Manele as New Prime Minister
In a historic move, Solomon Islands legislators have elected Jeremiah Manele as their new Prime Minister. Manele, a former foreign minister, promised to uphold a China-friendly foreign policy during his term in office.
The secretive ballot saw Manele receive 31 votes, while his opponent Matthew Wale garnered 18 votes. The vote took place amid heightened security in the capital, Honiara, but Manele praised the peaceful transition of power outside parliament.
Manele’s appointment comes after a national election that did not produce a majority for any political party. Outgoing Prime Minister Sogavare, who had close ties with China, did not seek re-election. However, Sogavare’s party maintained strong support for Manele.
Notably, Manele was the foreign minister when the Solomon Islands made the controversial decision to switch diplomatic ties from Taiwan to Beijing in 2019. This move sparked a shift in the country’s foreign policy, aligning it more closely with China.
As Manele takes on his new role, he will undoubtedly face challenges in maintaining relationships with both China and other international partners. His promises of a China-friendly foreign policy suggest that Solomon Islands will continue to strengthen its ties with Beijing in the coming years.
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