Solomons Prime Minister survives motion of no confidence

A motion of no confidence in Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele was withdrawn on the floor of parliament on Monday.

Over the weekend, both the government and the opposition claimed to have the majority support in the 50-member legislature.

However, the leadership challenge was withdrawn by Central Honiara MP Gordon Darcy Lilo after a failed attempt to have it deferred to Wednesday.

Speaking on the floor, Lilo, himself a former prime minister, accused government MPs of retracting their support for the motion.

"This motion should be [for] the other side of the bench," he said.

"And since those that have decided to propose this motion have retracted and had left their support in that way, I can only say to you, please [make more of an] effort to hold yourselves together," he added.

At this point, Manele interjected.

Chamber of the National Parliament of Solomon Islands.

"Point of order, Mr Speaker. Its seems that the mover of the motion the MP for Central Honiara is already debating the motion.

"Of course, he hasn't moved it. But the way he is speaking, he's already debating the motion."

After the Prime Minister's point of order, Lilo had a final jab at the government before withdrawing the motion.

"I don't have the number, the number has retracted, but the number out there are waiting keenly to listen to the issues that we are having right now.

"I, on their behalf and on behalf of those of you that have retracted, I withdraw this motion. Open all the windows of this chamber and throw this motion out. Thank you, Sir," he said as the chamber erupted with an applause.

Solomon Islands parliament was then adjourned until Tuesday morning to continue with the rest of government business for the week, which will end with the traditional year-end motion of sine die.

This article was first published by RNZ Pacific.