A Pacific PM has been toppled. Australia will be watching what happens next

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On Thursday, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele was ousted in a motion of no confidence, punting him into caretaker mode before a new leader can be voted in next week.

Manele’s deposition came after weeks of tumult, with 12 of his coalition MPs abandoning him. Though he worked to delay the return of parliament and his inevitable removal, Manele was forced to convene a session on Thursday after the Solomon Islands High Court intervened.

The Australian government will be monitoring developments closely. In the past, Solomon Islands’ political transitions have been accompanied by protest and even violence. Rioting in response to the China policy of the former Solomon Islands government saw the Morrison government deploy peacekeepers in 2021. So far, the situation in Honiara is calm.

Jeremiah Manele’s style was measured compared to his controversial predecessor, Manasseh Sogavare.

Appointed in 2024, his demeanour took international attention off Honiara. But his administration has been largely a continuation of the Sogavare era, retaining key policy priorities like the deepening of ties with Beijing. Manele also made little impact on the deep economic........

© WA Today