Solomon Islands: Easy defeat of motion of no confidence shows strength of Prime Minister and Coalition Government

On 16 December, Member of Parliament Gordon Darcy Lilo withdrew a motion of no confidence (MONC) he had previously raised on 5 December. Lilo initially sought to delay the MONC vote but after deliberation on whether parliamentary rules allowed a delay, Lilo admitted he did not have the numbers to carry the vote. The economy and accusations against Government Ministers were stated as the reasons behind the MONC, which occurred one day after the Government presented its annual budget.

Assessment: Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele leads a coalition government consisting of three parties - it is collectively known as the Government of National Unity and Transformation (GNUT). The withdrawal of the MONC before a vote took place illustrates PM Manele and the coalition maintain a strong position. Three personnel movements occurred in the two days before the vote, including the resignation of a Minister, the appointment of a Minister from a party outside the coalition, and the appointment of a new Deputy Speaker. These movements were almost certainly to shore up support for the PM, who is in his third term in parliament and first term as PM.

Sources: Georgina Kekea, “Lilo Moves to Dethrone Manele with No-confidence Vote,” In-depth Solomons, December 15, 2024; “Tuhaika Out Sade In,” Tavuli News, December 15, 2024; Georgina Kekea, “Wale Urges Gov't to Withdraw Law to Change Constitution,” In-depth Solomons, December 15, 2024; “Cathy Nori Makes History as Deputy Speaker,” Tavuli News, December 15, 2024; “Motion of No Confidence Against PM Manele Withdrawn,” Tavuli News, December 15, 2024.