Solomons to elect prime minister on May 2nd, relations with China in crisis

The Solomon Islands will elect a prime minister on Thursday after a general election left the future of the existing pro-China government in doubt.

Governor-General David Vunaghi said in a written notice on Monday that lawmakers will meet in Parliament at 9:30 a.m. May 2 (22:30 GMT May 1) to elect Pacific leaders. Stated.

Nominations for the top job close Tuesday afternoon, Vunaghi said.

“Long live our Solomon Islands, long live our Parliament,” he wrote.

Incumbent Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, a pro-China faction, retained his seat by a narrow margin in the April 17 election.

However, according to preliminary results, the party has so far secured 15 seats out of 50, falling short of an outright majority.

As a result, he has been forced to persuade potential coalition partners to remain in power.

Sogavare signed a security agreement with the Chinese government in 2022 and has overseen the rapid expansion of Chinese interests across the archipelago.

Rival political parties have expressed a desire to reduce China's influence if they form a government.

Four opposition parties have reportedly united to vie for power, bringing together the three-party opposition CARE Coalition and the Solomon Islands Unity Party.

According to the preliminary results, they have a total of 20 seats, so they will also need to be replaced by other members to have a chance to govern.

The balance of seats is held by an unpredictable collection of independents and small parties.

Local residents have their own word for independent politicians who thwart coalition talks in an attempt to buy their votes: “grasshoppers.''

Under the Solomon Islands Constitution, the prime minister is elected by secret vote of members of parliament.

The candidate who wins an absolute majority becomes Prime Minister.

If there is no clear winner in the first round, the candidates with the lowest scores are eliminated in subsequent rounds.

Source: guardian.ng