Legislators in the Solomon Islands have elected former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele as their new prime minister.
Manele, who has pledged to continue the Pacific nation’s China-friendly foreign policy, won 31 votes in a secret ballot on Thursday.
His opponent, longtime opposition leader Matthew Wale, secured 18 votes.
The vote in the 50-member parliament took place amid heightened security in the capital, Honiara, with squadrons of police patrolling the parliamentary grounds to ward off potential unrest.
Manele, speaking outside the parliament, praised the fact there was no repeat of past violence.
“The people have spoken,” he said. “We have shown the world today that we are better than that.”
Manele’s appointment comes after a national election last month failed to deliver a majority to any political party.
The two camps had lobbied to win support from independents in the 50-member chamber ahead of Thursday’s vote for the prime minister.
The election is being closely watched by China, the United States and neighbouring Australia because of the potential impact on regional security after outgoing Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare struck a security pact with China in 2022.
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