 |
|---|
In the Solomon Islands, the Leader of the Official Opposition is the leader of the largest political party in the National Parliament that is not in government. The title of "Leader of the Opposition" is common to the Commonwealth realms and several other Commonwealth countries, though in Solomon Islands it is specifically defined by the Constitution. The Leader of the Opposition appoints and leads a Shadow Cabinet. The current Leader of the Opposition, since December 2014, is Jeremiah Manele.
The position of "Leader of the Official Opposition" is established by article 66 of the Constitution of 1978, which has been the country's Constitution since independence. Article 66 states that the Leader of the Opposition is appointed by the Governor-General, who chooses the Member of Parliament who is considered leader by a significant opposition group within Parliament. [1] In practice, this means the Leader of the Opposition is elected by the members of the Opposition, and then formally recognised and appointed by the Governor-General. [2] The Leader of the Opposition is dismissed by the Governor-General if they no longer enjoys the support of the Opposition. [3]
Article 66 also provides for the Governor-General to appoint a Leader of the Independent Members – i.e., a parliamentary leader of Members of Parliament who remain unaligned with the government or with the Opposition. [4]
The following have served as Leaders of the Official Opposition in Solomon Islands. (Given the fluctuating nature of majority coalitions, successful motions of no confidence and thus changes in government are frequent during a parliamentary term. Consequently, there are in most cases several successive Leaders of the Opposition during a single Parliament.) [5]
Steve Abana of the Democratic Party became Leader of the Opposition on 30 August 2010, following the 2010 general election. [6] He resigned from that position in late March 2011, and the Opposition chose Derek Sikua to replace him. [7] Sikua thus led the 2011-2014 Shadow Cabinet.
On 9 December 2014, following the 2014 general election, Jeremiah Manele was appointed as Leader of the Opposition. [8] He held that post until 17 November 2017. [9] In 2018, Manasseh Maelanga was Leader of the Opposition. [10] And following the April 2019 general election, the Leader of the Opposition is Matthew Wale. [11]
Manasseh Damukana Sogavare is a Solomon Islander politician serving as Minister of Finance since 2024. He served as the prime minister of Solomon Islands for a total of nine years from 2000–2001, 2006–2007, 2014–2017, and 2019–2024. Sogavare has served in the National Parliament representing East Choiseul since 1997.
Danny Philip is a politician and diplomat from Solomon Islands. He was the prime minister of Solomon Islands from 2010 to 2011. Previously he served as the minister of Foreign Affairs from 1995 to 1996 and again from July 2000 to June 2001. He was the leader of the People's Progressive Party from 1997 to 2000, then founded the Reform Democratic Party, of which he was the leader when elected Prime Minister.
Snyder Rini is a Solomon Islands politician who was briefly the prime minister of Solomon Islands from April to May 2006 and was Minister for Finance and Treasury 2000–2001, 2002–2003, 2007–2010 and 2014–2017. He has represented the Marovo constituency in National Parliament since 1997.
The Solomon Islands Democratic Party is a political party in Solomon Islands. In a country in which political parties tend to be small and transient, and to obtain very few seats in Parliament, the Democratic Party has played a comparatively major role in recent history.
Jeremiah Manele is a Solomon Island politician serving as Prime Minister following the 2024 Solomon Islands general election. He is the first prime minister of the country to come from Isabel Province.
David Derek Sikua served as the prime minister of Solomon Islands from 20 December 2007 to 25 August 2010. He is a member of the Solomon Islands Liberal Party.
Steve William Abana is a Solomon Islands politician. He is a former Member of Parliament for Fataleka and was the Leader of Her Majesty's Opposition from August 2010 to March 2011.
Shemuel Sam Iduri was a Solomon Islands politician.
Manasseh Maelanga is a member of the National Parliament of the Solomon Islands. He represents East Malaita constituency.
Clay Forau Soalaoi, more commonly referred to as Clay Forau, is a Solomon Islands politician.
Stanley Festus Sofu is a Solomon Islands politician.
James Tora is a Solomon Islands politician.
General elections were held in the Solomon Islands on 4 August 2010. The election date was announced in May 2010 by Prime Minister Derek Sikua. Although the announcement was deemed to be premature, as only the Governor General has the authority to announce the election date upon the advice of the Electoral Commission, the election date remained the same.
Peter Shannel Agovaka is a Solomon Islands politician.
The 9th Parliament of Solomon Islands, determined by the 2010 general election, was the National Parliament of Solomon Islands from 2010 until 2014. It was preceded by the eighth and followed by the tenth.
The Shadow Cabinet of Solomon Islands is the parliamentary Opposition's alternative Cabinet in Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands is a Commonwealth realm with a Westminster system of government; the Shadow Cabinet is modelled on the British institution of the same name.
The Leader of the Independent Members, also referred to as Leader of the Independent Group, is a Member of the National Parliament of Solomon Islands who is officially recognised as leader of a group of MPs who are aligned neither with the government nor with the Official Opposition.
Moses Garu is a Solomon Islands politician. He was born in Isunavutu, West Guadalcanal, Guadalcanal Province.
George Milner Tozaka OBE, better known as Milner Tozaka, is a Solomon Islands diplomat and politician.
Dickson Mua Panakitasi, primarily known as Dickson Mua, is a Solomon Islands politician.