The newly elected Prime Minister for the Solomon Islands has given his first address to local media after a special vote was held at Parliament buildings this morning.
MPs gathered this morning at Parliament Chambers for the private vote that was overseen by the Governor General Sir David Vunagi and his team.
The MPs appeared on the steps of Parliament after the vote with Sir David declaring former Foreign Affairs Minister Jeremiah Manele the new Prime Minister elect of the Solomon Islands.
The country went to the polls on April 17th to elect the 12th Parliament. There was no clear winner with former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s party, OUR, unable to secure an overall majority in the country’s 50-member parliament.
The OUR Party formed a coalition with the Kadere and People First Parties known as the Coalition of National Unity and Transformation. Prime Minister elect Manele was put forward as the candidate after Sogavare announced he would not be seeking another term as Prime Minister.
Manele won the vote 31 to 18 against opposition leader Matthew Wale.
Speaking to local media after the election, Prime Minister elect Manele said it was an historic and proud moment and referred to past efforts to vote for the leader as being tinged with violence. He says it is time for change.
“We must respect and uphold the democratic process of electing the Prime Minister… we must set an example for our children and future generations,” Manele says.
The 56 year old represents the Hograno/Kia/Havulei constituency of the Ysabel province.
He says a new Cabinet will be appointed in the next few days.
