https://sputnikglobe.com/20220906/solomon-islands-slams-australia-for-assaulting-parliamentary-democracy-by-offering-election-funding-1100422132.html
Solomon Islands Slams Australia for Assaulting Parliamentary Democracy by Offering Election Funding
Solomon Islands Slams Australia for Assaulting Parliamentary Democracy by Offering Election Funding
Sputnik International
The Solomon Islands recently irritated Washington and its allies after Manasseh Sogavare's government denied docking permission except for Australia and New... 06.09.2022, Sputnik International
2022-09-06T09:55+0000
2022-09-06T09:55+0000
2022-10-31T19:51+0000
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The Solomon Islands government on Tuesday slammed Australia for offering election funding, calling it an "assault" on the country's democracy and attempted foreign interference.The Sogavare government also lashed out at Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong for making a public offer when MPs are debating the constitutional amendment bill to postpone the national election for a year, suggesting Canberra was trying to influence MPs' voting.Earlier on Tuesday, Wong said the election funding offer reflects Australia's longstanding and historic commitment to democracy in the Pacific.Australia made its offer as the Solomons' opposition accused the Sogavare government of ruining democratic conventions by rushing the constitutional amendment, which does not provide ample time to scrutinize the bill.General elections are held every four years in the Solomons, and the current parliament's tenure is due to expire in May 2023.The opposition party has been accusing Sogavare of violating the democratic process by not consulting them on strategic matters, including the security pact with China, which was signed in April despite massive lobbying by the US and its allies to block the deal.
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solomon islands, us, china, pacific, australia, anthony albanese, elections
Solomon Islands Slams Australia for Assaulting Parliamentary Democracy by Offering Election Funding
09:55 GMT 06.09.2022 (Updated: 19:51 GMT 31.10.2022) The Solomon Islands recently irritated Washington and its allies after Manasseh Sogavare's government denied docking permission except for Australia and New Zealand. Sogavare also moved a constitutional amendment to delay the election, citing a fund crunch.
The Solomon Islands government on Tuesday slammed Australia for offering election funding, calling it an "assault" on the country's democracy and attempted foreign interference.
The Sogavare government also lashed out at Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong for making a public offer when MPs are debating the constitutional amendment bill to postpone the national election for a year, suggesting Canberra was trying to influence MPs' voting.
"This is an assault on our parliamentary democracy and is a direct interference by a foreign government into our domestic affairs," a Solomon Islands government statement read.
Earlier on Tuesday, Wong said the election funding offer reflects Australia's longstanding and historic commitment to democracy in the Pacific.
Australia made its offer as the Solomons' opposition accused the Sogavare government of ruining democratic conventions by rushing the constitutional amendment, which does not provide ample time to scrutinize the bill.
Sogavare introduced the constitutional amendment bill to extend the parliament's tenure until November 2023, arguing that the Solomon Islands cannot afford to hold both major events in the same year.
General elections are held every four years in the Solomons, and the current parliament's tenure is due to expire in May 2023.
The opposition party has been accusing Sogavare of violating the democratic process by not consulting them on strategic matters, including the
security pact with China, which was signed in April despite massive lobbying by the US and its allies to block the deal.
