Planned motion of no confidence against Solomons PM disqualified

The Solomon Islands parliamentary opposition's notice for a motion of no confidence in the government of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, supposed to be moved tomorrow, has been disqualified.

Speaker of Parliament, Sir Peter Kenilorea says according to legal advice the notice he was given failed to meet the seven-clear days required for it to be moved. Sir Peter says since the government had already moved the sine die motion to end the current parliament sitting this Friday, there would be no time to move the no-confidence motion this time around.

Meanwhile, Special Secretary to the Prime Minister Sam Alasia says that even if the no confidence is moved tomorrow the government will defeat it as they have the full support of thirty MPs in the fifty member parliament.

However, the opposition group have also stated that if the motion of no confidence is allowed to be moved tomorrow they are confident of winning it. Edward Huniehu, Solomon Islands Opposition Spokesman for Finance and Treasury further outlines the reasons why they planned to move the no-confidence motion. These include poor and careless economic performance of the government due to bad relations with major donor partners; the proposed rearmament of certain sections and units of police; the government's continuous interference with the judiciary; and the government's handling of the Julian Moti issue.

Source: Pacific Beat