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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Manasseh Sogavare: Solomon Islands PM accuses Australia of interference | Manasseh Sogavare: Solomon Islands PM accuses Australia of interference |
| (3 months later) | |
| Relations between the Solomon Islands and Australia have soured in recent months | Relations between the Solomon Islands and Australia have soured in recent months |
| The Solomon Islands' prime minister has accused Australia of interference over its offer to help fund an election he controversially wants to delay. | The Solomon Islands' prime minister has accused Australia of interference over its offer to help fund an election he controversially wants to delay. |
| Manasseh Sogavare is seeking to defer the vote - due in mid-2023 - by seven months, a move critics say represents a turn towards authoritarianism. | Manasseh Sogavare is seeking to defer the vote - due in mid-2023 - by seven months, a move critics say represents a turn towards authoritarianism. |
| Australia says there is nothing unusual about its offer of assistance. | Australia says there is nothing unusual about its offer of assistance. |
| Relations between the two countries have soured recently as Mr Sogavare's government grows closer with China. | Relations between the two countries have soured recently as Mr Sogavare's government grows closer with China. |
| Australia regularly offers financial and logistical support to Pacific countries for elections, including in previous polls in the Solomon Islands. | Australia regularly offers financial and logistical support to Pacific countries for elections, including in previous polls in the Solomon Islands. |
| But Mr Sogavare says it is timed to influence how MPs will vote on a bill to change the constitution. If passed, the bill would allow the election to be deferred. | But Mr Sogavare says it is timed to influence how MPs will vote on a bill to change the constitution. If passed, the bill would allow the election to be deferred. |
| "This is an assault on our parliamentary democracy and is a direct interference by a foreign government into our domestic affairs," Mr Sogavare said in a statement. | "This is an assault on our parliamentary democracy and is a direct interference by a foreign government into our domestic affairs," Mr Sogavare said in a statement. |
| Elections are usually held every four years, but the government is trying to delay the next poll until after the country hosts the Pacific Games in late 2023. | Elections are usually held every four years, but the government is trying to delay the next poll until after the country hosts the Pacific Games in late 2023. |
| Mr Sogavare says the nation does not have the capacity to host both events in one year. | Mr Sogavare says the nation does not have the capacity to host both events in one year. |
| The country's opposition has called the proposed delay a "power grab" and asked for help from Australia, its largest aid donor. | The country's opposition has called the proposed delay a "power grab" and asked for help from Australia, its largest aid donor. |
| Protesters have called for Mr Sogavare to step down twice in recent years, including at the last election. | Protesters have called for Mr Sogavare to step down twice in recent years, including at the last election. |
| The leader has been under pressure after signing a controversial security pact with China in April. | The leader has been under pressure after signing a controversial security pact with China in April. |
| He has repeatedly criticised countries including Australia over their reaction to the deal, and threatened to ban foreign journalists after "demeaning" coverage. | He has repeatedly criticised countries including Australia over their reaction to the deal, and threatened to ban foreign journalists after "demeaning" coverage. |
| Mr Sogavare is due to visit Australia and meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the coming weeks. | Mr Sogavare is due to visit Australia and meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the coming weeks. |
| You may also be interested in: | You may also be interested in: |
| Footage of riots in the Solomon Islands last year showed government buildings and businesses in Chinatown set ablaze | Footage of riots in the Solomon Islands last year showed government buildings and businesses in Chinatown set ablaze |
| Footage of riots in the Solomon Islands last year showed government buildings and businesses in Chinatown set ablaze | Footage of riots in the Solomon Islands last year showed government buildings and businesses in Chinatown set ablaze |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Solomon Islands | Solomon Islands |