The election is being closely watched by China, the United States, and Australia as it could have implications for regional security. The former prime minister signed a security agreement with China, which the opposition party wants to scrap.
Saturday 27 April 2024 13:56, UK
There was no clear winner in this week's Solomon Islands elections. The two main opposition parties have now entered into a coalition agreement with the aim of seizing power.
Both parties are vying to form a government with former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare's party.
The election is being closely watched by China, the United States and neighboring Australia as it could have regional security implications.
It was Sogavare's first election since he signed a security pact with China in 2022 and brought Chinese police to the Pacific Islands, bringing the country closer to China.
The incumbent OUR party won 15 of the 50 seats in parliament, two more than the opposition CARE coalition, which is made up of the Solomon Islands Democratic Party, U4C and the United Democratic Party.
On Saturday, CARE agreed to form a 20-seat coalition with the second-largest opposition party, United.
United Airlines previously announced it would abandon the China security agreement.
Rick Hoenipera of the Democratic Alliance Party said the newly formed coalition government had not yet decided which party leader would be nominated for prime minister.
“Our group is responding to the cry and desire of our people to take back the Solomon Islands and restore faith in our country's leadership and governance,” the coalition said in a statement.
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Independent parties and small parties won 15 seats. The campaign to win the 26 seats needed to form a government will likely involve intense lobbying.
Mr Sogavare said last week that his party had the support of two small parties and would support independents.
The Solomon Islands are made up of six main islands and over 900 smaller islands.
Negotiations are taking place in the capital, Honiara, with newly elected members arriving from other islands.
