Solomon Islands lawmakers have elected as their new prime minister Jeremiah Manele, a former foreign minister who has pledged to continue the Pacific country’s policy of embracing China.
Manele said outside parliament on Thursday “the people have spoken” and called for calm.
“I humbly stand before you, as your elected prime minister. We must respect and uphold the democratic process,” Manele said.
The previous PM, Manasseh Sogavare, withdrew from the contest this week and backed Manele after failing to secure a majority in last month’s election.
Manele was foreign minister in 2019 when Sogavare’s government turned its back on Taiwan and established diplomatic relations with Beijing.
Police had boosted security in the capital, Honiara, as the newly elected lawmakers arrived at parliament on Thursday to conduct the secret ballot.
The country’s governor, Gen Sir David Vunagi, announced outside parliament house that Manele had won 31 votes, against 18 votes for opposition leader Matthew Wales. The election of the PM was due to be followed by the swearing-in of the parliament, as well as the election of the speaker.
A national election in April 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 poll is being closely watched by China, the US and neighbouring Australia because of the potential impact on regional security after Sogavare struck a security pact with China in 2022.
Australia’s prime minister, Anthony Albanese, congratulated Manele: “I look forward to working closely with him. Australia and Solomon Islands are close friends and our futures are connected.”
Lowy Institute research fellow Mihai Sora, a former Australian diplomat in Solomon Islands, said Manele had “a strong track record of working well with all international partners”, compared with Sogavare who was “a polarising figure”.
The new prime minister’s Our party has pledged to build more infrastructure and won 15 seats, gaining four under a renewed coalition with two micro-parties.
It needed support from independents to reach 26 seats for a majority in the 50-seat parliament.
In his speech, Manele also flagged a recent report by the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI). “We as a country continue on the recovery path after the Covid-19 global pandemic and 2021 riots.
“The recent report by CBSI on the state of our economy is concerning and calls for a more focused and aggressive approach. It is not an easy task but we will be reaching out to all relevant stakeholders as we progress on our road to recovery.”
Reaction to the new government has included calls for a fresh focus on health and education.
“We want to see a serious government that is proactive in addressing health issues in the country. Health has been neglected especially in rural clinics where people have to struggle to survive,” said Regina Lepping, a youth activist.
Junior Kurt Mamaloni, leader of the Makira Youth Council, said he was cautious about growing closer to China. “I would like to see a government that is more people-centred and focused on development. I don’t want to see foreign influence trying to shape our country into their geopolitical sphere.
“There’s nothing wrong with China. After the switch, we see tangible development in just four years. But as a youth, we fear something, nothing is free from China, and there are always strings attached to its projects.”
With Reuters and Agence France-Presse