‘We are both candidates of the Palauan people’

If politics in the Pacific shows anything, it is that family matters.

In Palau, two men are looking to assert their family’s political dynasty in the race for the country’s highest office.

Palau’s President, Surangel Whipps Jr, is seeking re-election this year, but his closest rival is none other than his own brother-in-law.

Whipps says this vote has two differences in opinions.

It’s not the first time Whipps is going up against his wife’s brother and former President Thomas Remengesau Jr whose father also served as the country’s leader.

Remengesau Jr was President for 16 years in two non-consecutive periods from 2001-2009 and 2013-2021.

Both Whipps Jr and Remengesau Jr contested the seat in 2016 which the latter won by just over 200 votes.

Despite the loss, Whipps Jr was successful in 2020 when he defeated Vice President Raynold Oilouch.

Just last week, Whipps’ family filed his nominating petition for re-election because the president was off the island.

Both men have campaigned fiercely with Whipps raising his concerns over Remengesau changing his stance and opposing a proposal to reduce the marine sanctuary to 50 per cent.

“He's already been out. Even though we met with the council of chiefs, explained everything to them, And they said, wonderful idea. 50 per cent. This is great. He [Remengesau] said it.

Peters and Palau Vice President Uduch Sengebau Sr during a gift exchange. Photo/Ala Vailala

“But now he's saying that, ‘oh, no, it should be 80 per cent’.

“We shouldn't be touching anything. But we believe that we should be using science data and consulting with the community and making the best decisions to help optimise the use of these resources to make sure that we use them sustainably for the people.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters, visited Palau this week and announced that New Zealand would give $1.7 million to Palau to strengthen its marine resources.

Palau’s Congress enacted the National Marine Sanctuary in 2015, making it one of the largest marine protected areas in the world.

Peters said the initiative would improve Palau’s capacity to implement marine plans, small-scale climate-smart fisheries and marine protection.

Peters’ visit also marked 30 years of diplomatic relations between Aotearoa and Palau and the first of a New Zealand Minister to lead a delegation to the northern Pacific.

Palau most notably is under the Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the United States.

US President Joe Biden had signed into law the COFA agreements for the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Palau, and the Marshall Islands in March after a five-month delay.

Peters is greeted at the airport by Palau's Foreign Affairs Minister, Jeffery Antol. Photo/Ala Vailala

The US Senate provided US$7.1 billion (NZ$2.8b) in funding for the three nations over 20 years. The approval is part of a US$460b (NZ$757b) spending package.

Palau has received US$889 million, of which US$44m is being dispersed annually over 20 years.

When asked about whether a change of government with Trump contesting for the presidential seat would affect future negotiations, Whipps expressed relief that funding had been secured prior to the election.

“Whether it's Trump or Harris, the relationship between Palau and the United States, I think, remains strong.

“The difference that we have now versus the way we were back in 2010 is I think the realisation that we are partners and we have to work together and they can't just ignore us, which was kind of the feeling that we got.”

Palau’s 2024 general election will be held on the 5 November which coincides with the US elections.

Peters wrapped up his North Pacific Tour on Thursday after a four-nation trip to Fiji, Marshall Islands, FSM, and Palau.

Peters was accompanied by Chair of the Labour Pacific Caucus, Jenny Salesa; Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee (FADTC) Tim van de Molen, and FADTC member and Green MP Teanau Tuiono.

NZ cross-party delegation with Peters and President Whipps Photo/Ala Vailala