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Former China hawk Matthew Wale elected Solomon Islands' leader
Wale won 26 of 49 votes as lawmakers ended Manele’s term after defections and rising pressure over governance and living costs.
- On Friday, the Solomon Islands parliament elected opposition leader Matthew Wale as prime minister, defeating Peter Shanel Agovaka 26-22 in a secret ballot of 49 lawmakers.
- Lawmakers ousted former prime minister Jeremiah Manele last week in a no-confidence vote, ending his term halfway through the four-year cycle after a dozen ministers resigned in March.
- Wale, a vocal critic of the 2022 security pact with China, is expected to adopt a "more moderate" approach, balancing ties between Beijing and Australia while prioritizing national interests.
- Speaking outside parliament, Wale declared "change is coming" and warned that necessary reforms might be painful, noting the government assumes office during difficult geopolitical times.
- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese congratulated Wale on his appointment, pledging to continue "strengthening our economic, development and security partnership" in the strategically positioned 700,000-person nation.
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‘Seismic shift’ toward Aussie orbit likely under Solomon Islands’ new prime minister
HONIARA — The Solomon Islands’ choice of longtime opposition leader Matthew Wale as its new prime minister could be a sign that a diplomatic shift toward Canberra is likely, while the Pacific island nation still engages moderately with Beijing, experts told Radio Free Asia.Wale was sworn in on Friday after winning 26 out of 50 votes in parliament, edging out the 22 votes for Foreign Minister Peter Shanel Agovaka, and drawing to a conclusion mont…
·United States
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Sydney Morning HeraldReposted by 
The Age
The AgeThe Solomons’ surprise new leader is a win for Australia, but the China challenge remains
Australian officials from the prime minister down will be relieved – and even delighted – by Matthew Wale’s victory, but they cannot afford to be relaxed.
·Sydney, Australia
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In the Solomon Islands, opposition leader Wale was elected Prime Minister.
·Germany
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources22
Leaning Left8Leaning Right2Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution54% Left
Bias Distribution
- 54% of the sources lean Left
54% Left
L 54%
C 33%
13%
Factuality
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