Six parties look set to form next government in Solomon Islands
A grand coalition, consisting of six political parties, now looks set to form the next Solomon Islands government, insiders told Island Sun
It consists of the Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP), the United Democratic Party (UDP), the United Party (UP), the People’s Alliance Party (PAP), Solomon Islands People’s First Party and Solomon Islands’ Party for Rural Advancement (SIPRA).
Leaders of the six-party coalition are expected to put their stamp of approval on the Grand Coalition Agreement, effectively sealing a potential new government today.
According to Political Integrity Act 2014 section 53, a political party may, before or after an election, negotiate and enter into a coalition agreement with other political parties and such agreement must contain minimum rules.
The minimum rules is that the coalition of political parties, within seven days after a coalition agreement is signed, must lodge with the Registrar a prescribed notice affirming the agreement.
Under section 53(3) it also states that no political party may enter into coalition agreement with any independent or group of independent members of Parliament after an election.
If this is what is likely to happen it will certainly lock out the Independent members.
Insiders indicate that 26 newly-elected Members of Parliament have signed on the dotted line in the Grand Coalition Agreement, which was earlier prepared by a private lawyer.
The formation of the Grand Coalition appears to have effectively locked out individuals who contested the last National General Election (NGE) as “Independents”.
Many say the Independents would continue to represent an element of political instability in any new government.
The group of independents numbering about 17 is also linked to the Kadere, the only political Party that seems to have won more seats than the rest of the 12 political parties that contested the April 3 election.
East Choiseul MP, Manasseh Sogavare’s close links with Kadere has brought a fear factor into play, with some new and former MPs suggesting that he might capitalise on the number of Independents to support him in his bid for an historical fourth term as Prime Minister.
Now that a Grand Coalition is in place, the next thing to be decided is the leadership issue.
While there are a number of potential suitors, no one has emerged as a clearer choice for the job of Prime Minister.
That will be the first hurdle for the architects of the Grand Coalition to overcome.
SOURCE: ISLAND SUN/ PNG Today
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