The Solomon Islands parliament on Thursday elected Derek Sikua as the South Pacific nation's new prime minister, replacing Manasseh Sogavare.
Sikua's National Coalition for Unity and Rural Advancement group received 32 of the 47 votes cast in parliament, the Pacnews,a Suva-based regional news agency reported.
He is a new comer to the parliament, having served just over a year and half in parliament. He became minister for education in the Sogavare government until he crossed the floor a few weeks ago, which led to the vote that toppled the government last week
Sikua, 48, holds a doctor of philosophy in educational decentralization from the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Previously, he held many senior positions in the ministry of education and became permanent secretary until he contested the elections in 2006.
He was sworn in by Governor General Nathaniel Waena on Thursday and his new cabinet is expected to be named and sworn in Friday.
Opposition leader, Fred Fono, as speculated, is expected to be the new deputy prime minister, the Pacnews said.
Source: Xinhua
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