Solomon Islands PM to face no-confidence vote within days, says judge

The Solomon Islands Chief Justice has ordered Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele to call parliament within three days to face a motion of no confidence in his leadership.

Sir Albert Palmer made the order in granting a judicial review claim filed by the political party leaders of a new coalition made up of 28 MPs, including government defectors, in the 50-member house.

In his ruling on Tuesday, the Chief Justice stated that the Prime Minister is under a "constitutional duty" to ensure a motion of no confidence is brought before Parliament at the earliest opportunity and not doing so is "unlawful".

Despite their numerical superiority, the group has been locked out of parliament by Manele's refusal to call parliament and face a leadership challenge.

The mandatory orders go further in stating that, if the prime minister fails to call parliament within three days, the Governor-General can call parliament, and the Speaker is ordered to ensure the motion of no confidence is prioritised.

Gabriel Suri, the lawyer for second claimant opposition leader Matthew Wale, told Tavuli News outside court in Honiara that the Attorney-General John Muria Jr had indicated to him that they would be filing a notice of appeal.

This story was first published on RNZ Pacific.