Solomon Islands elects opposition leader Matthew Wale as prime minister

Lawmakers in China's South Pacific ally Solomon Islands elected opposition leader Matthew Wale prime minister on Friday. The Solomon Islands has been seen as one of Beijing's closest partners and backers in the South Pacific in recent years and changes of leader in the strategically located archipelago are closely watched by Western diplomats.

Leader of the Solomon Islands Democratic Party Wale won 26 votes in a secret ballot of 49 lawmakers, Governor General David Tiva Kapu announced on the steps of parliament. Jeremiah Manele was ousted as prime minister last week in a no confidence motion in parliament. "Change is coming. These changes are necessary and may be painful," Wale told media outside parliament.

Wale said he was taking government at a difficult time "given what is happening throughout the world". "We are not immune from these geopolitical events," he said, calling for Solomon Islanders to unite. "I appeal to the youth of our country, be ambitious for yourself and be part of the growth we want to see in the Solomon Islands," he added.