Political camps move into hotels
LOBBYING is underway as various political camps bid to form the next government.
Four major camps were established in four hotels, but the Solomon Star understands there were other smaller groups at play, too.
As of Monday, the 50 elected Members of Parliament have been advised to collect their letters from parliament and to indicate which hotel (camp) they prefer to stay.
This was to avoid the problem of double payment of rooms like what used to be the practice of certain MPs of previous Houses who took more than two rooms at different hotels during the government formation stage.
As of yesterday, the four major camps are:
- Tandai Hotel – Democratic Alliance Party, led by Steve Abana, Rick Hou, and Namson Tran
- Heritage Park Hotel: Led by Mathew Wale, Dr Derek Sikua, and Manasseh Sogavare
- Honiara Hotel: United Democratic Party, Peoples Alliance Party, People First Party, Kadere Party. This group was led Danny Philip and other party leaders
- Pacific Casino Hotel: This group was led by Bodo Dettke and his close followers
The Solomon Star understands from sources that former deputy prime minister Manasseh Maelanga is also leading a group but they are yet to establish their camp.
“It’s still early days and none of the camps have yet to get the required numbers to form the next government,” one source said.
“But lobbying is expected to intensify this weekend and into the new week.
“We should be able to see how each camp shapes up in the new week before parliament meets to elect a new prime minister,” the source said.
On social media discussions, Mr Sogavare, Dr Sikua, and Mr Wale are MPs picked out to take up the PM’s job.
Parliament is expected to meet to elect a new Speaker and prime minister in the first or second week of December.
By DANIEL NAMOSUAIA
