Lawmakers in Tuvalu have elected Feleti Teo as the Pacific island nation’s new prime minister, weeks after an election focused on relations with Taiwan.
Government Secretary Tufoa Panapa told Agence France-Presse on Monday that former attorney general Theo had secured the backing of lawmakers elected last month.
There is speculation that Tuvalu, one of only 12 countries that still officially recognizes Taiwan, may consider establishing ties with China.
After Monday’s announcement, Andrew Lin, Taiwan’s ambassador to Tuvalu, told AFP he had received assurances from the new prime minister that the relationship between the two countries is “rock-solid, durable and will last forever.”
“I was invited to a luncheon with all the MPs and the newly elected Prime Minister. I spoke to all of them and got assurances from all of them,” Lin said, adding that he and Teo were “very good”. “Friend,” he added.
Mr Teo’s elevation to prime minister came after his predecessor Kausea Natano, who had championed long-standing ties with Taipei, lost his seat in the general election.
Nauru recently severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan in favor of China, fueling rumors that Tuvalu could follow suit.
Beijing had already pulled out some of Taiwan’s Pacific allies and persuaded the Solomon Islands and Kiribati to switch recognition in 2019.
Ahead of the election, Natano’s Finance Minister Seve Paeniu floated the idea of Tuvalu reviewing its relationship with Taiwan.
Teo will become prime minister four weeks after the general election. According to MP Simon Coffe, he is the first Prime Minister of Tuvalu to be nominated unopposed. Mr Kofe said in a social media post that Mr Teo will be sworn in along with his cabinet later this week.
The election was postponed due to prolonged bad weather, with several members of parliament stranded on the country’s remote islands and unable to reach the capital.
Jess Marinacio, an assistant professor of Pacific studies at California State University, told AFP it was too early to tell whether Teo, who until recently held a senior position in regional fisheries, would maintain ties with Taiwan. .
“I don’t think anyone knows because he hasn’t been in power for a long time,” Marinaccio said.
“Attorney General was the last position he held before starting to work internationally.
“The positions he’s held so far have involved dealing with countries that have ties to Taiwan and countries that don’t, so he probably had to be pretty even-keeled in that regard. Sho.
“I don’t know which way he leans because he couldn’t express either opinion.”
Marinaccio said international relations would be high on the list of issues for Teo’s new government.
“It will definitely be a topic for them. They also have to choose the high commissioner and ambassador, so Taiwan will be part of that,” she said.
“The coverage in Tuvalu is not that great, so this will be a top priority, along with climate change and telecommunications.”
