Solomon Islands foreign minister Jeremiah Manele, known for his China-friendly stance, was sworn in as the South Pacific nation's new prime minister on Thursday, more than two weeks after a closely watched general election where no party secured a majority.
Manele, who was chosen as premier by newly elected members of parliament earlier in the day, is expected to continue the pro-China policy of former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, whose government cut ties with Taiwan in favor of Beijing in 2019 and signed a controversial security pact with the Asian power in 2022.
Manele received 31 votes against 18 for opposition coalition leader Matthew Wale, with all but one of the 50 members of parliament voting in the leadership race, according to Solomon Islands Governor General David Vunagi.
Manele said after the parliamentary vote, "The people have spoken," calling for the public to respect the outcome of the democratic process.
As Sogavare said Monday he was withdrawing from the race to become the country's next prime minister following the general election held on April 17, Manele was instead announced as the ruling Ownership Unity and Responsibility Party's prime ministerial candidate.
The OUR Party secured 15 seats in the election, well short of the 26-seat majority needed to form government in the unicameral parliament. Following intense post-election negotiations, the party formed a coalition with the People's First Party and Kadere Party, as well as several independent lawmakers.
Manele, a 56-year-old former diplomat, was first elected to parliament in 2014.
Political experts believe that in addition to maintaining Sogavare's China-friendly stance, Manele will dial back the frostiness with the West.
Meg Keen, director of the Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy Institute, an Australian think tank, said Manele will be "a less fiery personality with a greater capacity for diplomacy across diverse global players," and open the door wider to engagement with Western nations as well.
While some media outlets interpreted the election results as a sign the public is concerned over the possible Chinese military presence in the country, others believe the results showed dissatisfaction with the Sogavare government's handling of domestic issues like the lack of sufficient investment in health care and basic infrastructure.
In an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Wednesday, Manele said his government will prioritize infrastructure improvement as well as investment in forestry, mineral industry, fisheries, agriculture and tourism, the broadcaster reported.
However, as experts point out, delivering promises on the nation's tight budget will be challenging as the economy remains on a recovery path from a recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and a 2021 anti-government riot that destroyed many buildings and shops in the capital Honiara.
Related coverage:
Japan, Pacific islands oppose change of status quo amid China clout
Australia rips China over "unsafe, unprofessional" naval interaction
