HONIARA, Solomon Islands ¨C When Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare bet big on China, cutting the Solomon Islands¡¯ ties with Taiwan and signing a bundle of secretive agreements with Beijing, critics worried that the budding friendship would weaken the Pacific Island nation¡¯s young democracy.
On Thursday, his opponents say, Sogavare validated their fears: He pushed through Parliament a constitutional amendment that delayed next year¡¯s national elections until 2024. That means he will face voters at what could be a more advantageous time for him, after the Solomon Islands hosts the Pacific Games, an international sporting event to be held in a complex that China is building.
¡°The bill does not in any way inhibit or prohibit the right to vote,¡± Sogavare said as he opened debate in Parliament with a speech that portrayed the postponement as a minor issue. He added that his government continued to ¡°uphold the principles of democracy and uphold national interests.¡±
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.