6:53 am today

No-confidence motion looms over Solomon Islands PM Jeremiah Manele

6:53 am today
Jeremiah Manele

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele Photo: Pacific Islands Forum

A motion of no confidence against Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele matures today and can be moved in parliament.

The leadership challenge comes just eight months into Manele's tenure and was submitted by the MP for Central Honiara, Gordon Darcy Lilo, who is himself a former prime minister.

Parliament staff have told RNZ Pacific that the motion does not appear on the draft order paper for Friday's sitting, but it can still be introduced to the final order paper before the House resumes at 9:30am, local time.

Local media report that the motion was submitted against a backdrop of government controversies, including allegations of unfair tax exemptions and lost revenue from mining.

Meanwhile, police in the capital have recruited officers from the corrections services to assist them in maintaining law and order in the lead-up to the vote and into the festive season.

The no-confidence motion move comes just days after Tonga's prime minister resigned from his post earlier this week, setting up a Christmas Eve prime ministerial election in the Kingdom.

And last month's dissolution of the Vanuatu parliament, which triggered a snap election that is set to take place on 14 January.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs