New Parline: the IPU’s Open Data Platform (beta)

Your one-stop-shop for information about national parliaments

The 2019 elections returned a fragmented parliament: eight parties entered a 50-member Parliament along with 21 independent candidates. After the 2019 elections, former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare (independent) re-launched his Ownership, Unity and Responsibility Party (OUR Party). The OUR Party subsequently formed the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA, see note 1) and announced that it would endorse Mr. Sogavare as its premiership candidate. His main opponent, Mr. Matthew Wale of the Solomon Islands Democratic Party (which came first in the 2019 elections, with eight seats), for his part, formed the Grand Coalition (GC, see note 2). The GC endorsed Mr. Peter Kenilorea Jr. (son of the country’s first Prime Minister and the current leader of the Solomon Islands United Party) as its premiership candidate. Mr. Wale questioned Mr Sogavare’s eligibility as Prime Minister owing to the late registration of his political party (see note 3). Mr. Wale subsequently obtained a High Court order to postpone the premiership election. However, the order was delivered to Governor-General Sir Frank Kabui just before the election, which went ahead as scheduled on 24 April. The GC walked out of Parliament in protest. Mr. Sogavare was elected Prime Minister, winning 34 of the 35 votes cast. His election triggered protests in parts of the capital Honiara. On 25 April, the Governor-General swore in Mr. Sogavare for a fourth term. Mr. Wale subsequently filed a case challenging the validity of Mr. Sogavare's election as Prime Minister. On 24 May, the Chief Justice dismissed the case, stating the challenges were baseless. The major electoral issues in 2019 included the country’s diplomatic relations. Outgoing Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela’s Democratic Alliance Party said it would review the country’s ties with Taiwan (established in 1983). After beginning his new term, Mr. Sogavare said the country would conduct a "comprehensive assessment of the China question". Note 1: The DCGA comprises the OUR Party, the Democratic Alliance Party, led by outgoing Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela (who had succeeded Mr. Sogavare in 2017), the Kadere Party and the Solomon Islands People First Party. Note 2: The GC comprises Mr. Wale’s Solomon Islands Democratic Party, Mr. Peter Kenilorea Jr.’s Solomon Islands United Party, and the United Democratic Party. Note 3: Mr. Wale argued that under electoral law a party cannot be registered during the election period and that the leader of the party with the highest number of MPs should be appointed Prime Minister. The acting Registrar of the Political Parties Integrity Commission said the OUR Party had been registered in accordance with the Political Parties Integrity Act.