The political situation in the Solomon Islands

The leader of the Solomon Islands does not want to be re-elected

Solomon Islands' incumbent Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare will not stand in this week's prime ministerial vote in parliament, writes AFP. On Monday, he announced that Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele has been elected as the party's group leader in parliament and thus also as prime ministerial candidate.

Sogavar's ruling party did not achieve its own majority in the election this week. Neither did the opposition, which means that both sides are now trying to form coalitions with small parties and independent candidates before the prime ministerial vote.

If Manele becomes the new prime minister, he is expected to continue pursuing the pro-China policy established by Sogavare and criticized by the opposition.

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Solomon Islands elects leaders - China's influence at center stage

The Solomon Islands' parliament will vote on a new prime minister on Thursday, writes AFP. Incumbent Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and his party failed to win their own majority in elections earlier in April, forcing him to seek coalitions.

During the last term of office, Sogavare has pursued a very China-friendly policy and, among other things, concluded a new security pact with Beijing. This has been criticized by the opposition, which wants to roll back Chinese influence.

Four opposition parties have come together to bring about a change of power, but they also do not reach their own majority. Both sides thus depend on support from small parties and independent MPs.

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"Grashoppers" decide who will be the new prime minister

Neither the current government nor the opposition achieved their own majority in the parliamentary elections in the Solomon Islands earlier in April. Therefore, both sides are now seeking support from small parties and independent members of parliament ahead of the prime ministerial election later this week, writes AFP.

The independent members are known locally as "grasshoppers". They are often unpredictable and willing to negotiate with all parties.

During the election itself, members of parliament vote anonymously. An absolute majority is required for a candidate to be elected. If the first round of voting does not result in a winner, the candidate who received the lowest support is eliminated and the election is repeated in rounds until a winner can be chosen.