The Solomon Islands governor-general has appointed Wednesday, August 25 as the date when a new coalition government and prime minister will be officially announced.
Governor-General Sir Frank Kabui called for prime ministerial candidate nominations yesterday, following the announcement last Friday of all 50 MPs elected from polling held on August 4.
Candidates and party power brokers are now locked in negotiations to form a coalition, ahead of the official announcement next weeks.
Three rival camps emerged last week, with each publicly claiming it had the necessary numbers to form the 26-seat majority needed to form government.
However, local media reported yesterday there were now two main camps.
Leader of Solomon Islands Democratic Party, Mathew Wale, is said to be confident of forming a coalition government that includes caretaker prime minister Derek Sikua.
But another group that includes Opposition Leader Manasseh Sogavare is also working to shore up numbers.
