Matthew Wale Photo: Supplied / Solomon Islands Office of the Leader of Opposition
Matthew Wale was elected as the Solomon Islands prime minister by secret ballot in Honiara on Friday.
Wale, who is the leader of the Solomon Islands Democratic Party, was first elected to the National Parliament representing the Aoke Langa Langa Constituency in a bye-election in March 2008.
He has since been re-elected to parliament four times: August 2010, November 2014, April 2019, and April 2024.
The Solomon Islands prime ministership race has become a two-man race after one of the three candidates nominated for the top job withdrew his nomination on Friday morning.
Peter Shanel Agovaka, who led the exodus of government ministers to oust Jeremiah Manele, is one of three candidates hoping to be elected as the new Solomon Islands prime minister.
The three men who are in the mix for the top job are Central Guadalcanal MP Peter Shanel Agovaka, East Malaita MP Manasseh Maelanga, and the MP for Auki/Langalanga Matthew Wale.
Jeremiah Manele, who previously served as the country's foreign minister, was elected prime minister on 2 May 2024.
The parliament will sit on Thursday to consider a motion of no confidence in Jeremiah Manele. Audio
Government House has confirmed to RNZ Pacific that the MP for South New Georgia Rendova and Tetepare, David Gina, was sworn in as Minister for Rural Development on Sunday afternoon.
The Solomon Islands Court of Appeal has issued a judgement revealing it stalled moves to oust Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele due to "serious questions of constitutional significance".
Sir David Tiva Kapu is refusing to summon parliament as an appeal further delays a new coalition's efforts to remove the country's Prime Minister.
Patterson Oti has warned that the mass defection of government MPs, which has left Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele with a minority government, has created "an unprecedented situation".
