16 Dec 2014

Stalemate over Solomons finance portfolio

4:10 pm on 16 December 2014

Two important Solomon Islands portfolios remain unfilled on the eve of the new Solomon Islands parliament's first sitting.

The Solomon Islands Coat of Arms adorns the steps of the National Parliament.

The Solomon Islands Coat of Arms adorns the steps of the National Parliament. Photo: RNZ Koroi Hawkins

The finance and police portfolios are still to be assigned by the prime minister Manasseh Sogavare.

Finance is the more critical with the new parliament having to pass a resolution to continue state spending until the new administration's budget is ready.

It is understood that a former prime minister and finance minister, Snyder Rini, and Mathew Wale are vying for the post.

Mr Wale is believed to have traded being named deputy prime minister in the hope he would get the minister of finance's role.

It is possible that Mr Sogavare may temporarily assume the finance post if an agreement cannot be reached by the two aspiring for the job.