The prime minister of Solomon Islands is Solomon Islands' head of government, as elected by the National Parliament. Matthew Wale has served as the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands since May 2026.
Solomon Islands is a Commonwealth realm; the functions of the head of state are performed on behalf of the monarch of Solomon Islands by the governor-general of Solomon Islands, who is nominated by Parliament.
The prime minister's official residence is Red House in Honiara.
Constitutional basis Section 33 of the constitution of Solomon Islands provides for the prime minister to be elected by the members of the national parliament. The other government ministers are appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister.
The prime minister may be removed from office by the governor-general following a no-confidence motion passed by an absolute majority of the national parliament. The office is also vacated if the prime minister resigns, ceases to be a member of parliament, or is elected as speaker or deputy speaker. In the event of a vacancy, the governor-general, in consultation with cabinet, appoints one of the existing government ministers to act as prime minister until the national parliament can meet to fill the vacancy.
Schedule 2 to the constitution outlines the process for election of the prime minister. All members of parliament are eligible for nomination, but must be nominated by at least four other members. The election is then held by secret ballot with the governor-general presiding. If a candidate fails to secure a majority of votes on the first ballot, an exhaustive ballot takes place with the candidate with the lowest number of votes eliminated on each ballot.
List of officeholders Political parties
PortraitNameElectionTerm of officePolitical party Took office Left office Time in office 1 Peter Kenilorea 1980 7 July 1978 31 August 1981 UP 2 Solomon Mamaloni — 31 August 1981 19 November 1984 PAP (1) Sir Peter Kenilorea 1984 19 November 1984 1 December 1986 UP 3 Ezekiel Alebua — 1 December 1986 28 March 1989 UP (2) Solomon Mamaloni 1989 28 March 1989 18 June 1993 PAP 4 Sir Francis Billy Hilly 1993 18 June 1993 7 November 1994 Independent (2) Solomon Mamaloni — 7 November 1994 27 August 1997 GNUR 5 Bartholomew Ulufa'alu 1997 27 August 1997 30 June 2000 SILP 6 Manasseh Sogavare — 30 June 2000 17 December 2001 PPP 7 Allan Kemakeza 2001 17 December 2001 20 April 2006 PAP 8 Snyder Rini 2006 20 April 2006 4 May 2006 AIM (6) Manasseh Sogavare — 4 May 2006 20 December 2007 Socreds 9 Derek Sikua — 20 December 2007 25 August 2010 SILP 10 Danny Philip 2010 25 August 2010 16 November 2011 RDPSI 11 Gordon Darcy Lilo — 16 November 2011 9 December 2014 SIPRA (6) Manasseh Sogavare 2014 9 December 2014 15 November 2017 Independent 12 Rick Houenipwela — 15 November 2017 24 April 2019 DAP (6) Manasseh Sogavare 2019 24 April 2019 2 May 2024 OUR Party 13 Jeremiah Manele 2024 2 May 2024 15 May 2026 OUR Party 14 Matthew Wale — 15 May 2026 Incumbent SIDP
Timeline
See also Deputy Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Governor-General of Solomon Islands Leader of the Opposition (Solomon Islands) Leader of the Independent Members High Commissioner for the Western Pacific Governing Council of the Solomon Islands
References