Solomon Islands elects a prime minister who is likely to keep close China ties
Solomon Islands lawmakers elected former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele as prime minister, suggesting the country will maintain close ties with China.
MELBOURNE, Australia — Solomon Islands lawmakers elected former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele as prime minister Thursday in a development that suggests the South Pacific island nation will maintain close ties with China.
Manele used his first speech as leader to promise to govern with integrity and to put his nation’s interests first.
“I will discharge my duties diligently and with integrity. I will at all times put the interests of our people and country above all other interests,” Manele said in a speech outside the National Parliament of Solomon Islands.
Manele won 31 votes in a secret ballot of 49 lawmakers who won general elections on April 17, Governor General David Vunagi said, while Matthew Wale, who led the opposition in the previous parliament, received the remaining 18.
The withdrawal of pro-Beijing former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare from the contest to make way for Manele as their party’s candidate indicated the country could follow a similar direction.
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