Opposition Leader Matthew Wale Elected as Prime Minister of Solomon Islands

Tokyo (ANTARA) - Opposition leader Matthew Wale was elected as the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands on Friday, after incumbent Jeremiah Manele was ousted through a vote of no confidence last week.

Although previously known as a staunch critic of China leading up to the signing of a broad security pact between the Solomon Islands and Beijing in 2022, Wale is not expected to make major changes to the South Pacific nation’s relationship with China.

In recent years, Wale has been seen as taking a more pragmatic approach.

The Governor-General of the Solomon Islands, David Tiva Kapu, announced outside the parliament building that 26 members of parliament voted for Wale, and 22 members supported former Foreign Minister Peter Shanel Agovaka.

One ballot was declared invalid, and one member of parliament was absent, out of a total of 50 members of parliament.

“We are not immune to the impacts of these various geopolitical events. Therefore, the government will implement careful discipline and management to navigate these difficult times,” Wale said.

Meanwhile, Lowy Institute Australia researcher Connor Graham told Kyodo that major changes in relations with Beijing are unlikely under Wale’s leadership, although there may be moderate adjustments in relations between the two countries.

“I see him being more transparent and more actively engaging with partners, such as Australia and the United States,” Graham said.

He also believes Wale may push China to disclose the full details of the security pact between the two countries.

According to Graham, Wale is now taking a more pragmatic approach to China, amid Beijing’s increasing involvement in the Solomon Islands’ economy, through major infrastructure projects and the regular presence of Chinese military and police personnel in the country.

Wale’s election ends a political stalemate that began when a dozen government ministers defected to the opposition camp in March.

Although the new coalition has secured a majority of members of parliament, Manele refused to recall parliament to hold a vote of no confidence until he was ordered to do so by the country’s High Court and Court of Appeal.

Source: Kyodo-OANA