#new #breakingnews #video Solomon Islands lawmakers selected a new prime minister in a secret ballot on Thursday (May 2), choosing foreign minister Jeremiah Manele, who has pledged to continue the Pacific Island nation's foreign policy that saw it grow close to China. Governor General Sir David Vunagi announced outside parliament house that Manele had won 31 votes, to Opposition leader Matthew Wales' 18 votes. Manele is a former diplomat who entered parliament in 2014, and traveled to China as foreign minister in 2019 to formalise Solomon Islands' switch in diplomatic ties from Taiwan to Beijing. Speaking outside parliament on Thursday, Manele said "the people have spoken," and called for calm, noting a history of violence in Solomon Islands after elections. A national election last month saw incumbent Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare's government lose half of its seats but failed to deliver a majority to any political party, and two camps lobbied to win support from independents ahead of the vote for prime minister. Breaking News Today is your daily source for breaking national and world news, exclusive interviews and 24/7 live streaming coverage that will help you stay up to date on the events shaping our world. Don't forget to follow us to update the latest information worldwide !