This screenshot from a video clip shows Governor General of the Solomon Islands David Tiva Kapu (R, front) delivering a speech in Honiara, the Solomon Islands, on May 15, 2026. Matthew Wale was elected as the Solomon Islands' new prime minister by members of parliament on Friday, Governor General of the Solomon Islands David Tiva Kapu announced. (Xinhua)

HONIARA, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Matthew Wale was elected as the Solomon Islands' new prime minister by members of parliament on Friday, Governor General of the Solomon Islands David Tiva Kapu announced.

Wale, the opposition leader, won 26 votes in the 50-seat parliament to defeat former Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Peter Shanel Agovaka.

Wale will take over the office from Jeremiah Manele, who was removed from office on May 7 after the National Parliament passed a motion of no-confidence.

Born in 1968, Wale was elected as a Member of Parliament in a by-election in 2008. He lost the parliamentary vote for prime minister and became the Leader of the Opposition following the 2019 election. He was again nominated as a candidate for prime minister in the 2024 election but lost to Manele. ■

This screenshot from a video clip shows newly elected Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Matthew Wale speaking to the media in Honiara, the Solomon Islands, on May 15, 2026. Wale was elected as the Solomon Islands' new prime minister by members of parliament on Friday, Governor General of the Solomon Islands David Tiva Kapu announced. (Xinhua)