Prime Minister’s Office, Solomon Islands
Photo: Prime Minister’s Office, Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands Court of Appeal is expected to release its decision Friday on whether the prime minister has to call parliament and face a vote of no confidence.
The political impasse in the Melanesian nation began last month after a mass defection of government ministers to the opposition.
The opposition and the defectors formed a new coalition commanding a majority of MPs in the 50-seat House but have not been able to capiatalise on their numerical superiority because Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has refused to call parliament.
The opposition coalition then took the matter to the High Court to try and force Manele to call parliament and face their no-confidence motion.
Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer ruled in their favour and ordered Manele to convene parliament, at the same time instructing the Governor-General to do so if he did not.
But the government filed an application against the ruling and secured a stay of execution.
Manele told local media earlier this week the government will maintain strict respect for the independence of the judiciary.
The three judges on the Appeal Court bench – Howard Lawyry, Gibbs Salika and Gina Nott – are expected to hand down their judgement at 11:30am local time (12:30pm NZT).
Solomon Islands police said they are providing “high visibility” security at the High Court complex in Honiara ahead of the decision.
