Manele claws back support as one opposition MP defects to join government

The Solomon Islands prime minister has clawed one MP away from a new coalition seeking to remove him from power.

Government House has confirmed to RNZ Pacific that the MP for South New Georgia Rendova and Tetepare, David Gina, was sworn in as Minister for Rural Development on Sunday afternoon.

While is not enough to save Jeremiah Manele if parliament was called immediately for a no-confidence vote - as the new coalition still command 27 of the 50 seats in the House - it is the first defection from the group, which had held onto 28 MPs up until yesterday.

Last week, opposition group accused government lobbyists of trying to bribe its members with "huge money" to "buy political allegiance".

The Solomon Islands Prime Minister's Office told RNZ Pacific that Manele would not respond to the allegations.

Manele described Gina's appointment as "a vital step" in ensuring his Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) remained on track to complete the work of Solomon Islands 12th Parliament.

"I have every confidence in the Minister's commitment to seeing through our remaining legislative priorities and delivering on the Government's 2026 national goals for the people of Solomon Islands," he said.

Meanwhile, Manele will find out on Friday if he will be forced to call parliament when the Court of Appeal delivers its ruling on his case against Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer's earlier ruling to that effect.

Government House told RNZ Pacific there are no further swearing in ceremonies booked as of midday on Monday.