Solomon Islands hold general election

The elections, initially scheduled for last year were delayed by a parliamentary vote due to the country hosting the Pacific Games. Today’s vote will be a crossroads election with incumbent prime minister Manasseh Sogavare and his ruling Ownership, Unity and Responsibility Party (OUR) overseeing a significant foreign policy shift towards China—under Sogavare the Solomon Islands withdrew its recognition for the Republic of China in favor of the PRC and signed a security agreement with Beijing in 2022. Sogavare’s main opponents include Peter Kenilorea Jr of the United Party (UP) and former prime minister Gordon Darcy Lilo (2011-2014), who criticized the agreement, promising to review it if elected into office.

It is very unlikely that any single party will win the required 26 seats for a parliamentary majority. As such lengthy multiparty negotiations are likely to play out in the coming weeks and months. Should Sogavare prevail, Hoinara is likely to continue its pro-China course. A continuing Chinese tilt would be a major victory for Beijing and mark its first major inroad into the Pacific islands region. Meanwhile, an opposition victory could see the country revert to closer ties with Australia and the US.