Tuvalu’s pro-Taiwan leader loses seat
THE pro-Taiwan leader of the Pacific islands nation of Tuvalu, Kausea Natano, has lost his parliamentary seat, according to partial results. Tuvalu, with a population of about 11,200 spread across nine islands, is one of three remaining Pacific allies of Taiwan.
Mr Natano had pledged to continue support for Taiwan, a diplomatic ally since 1979. Results for the electorate of Funafuti released on a Tuvalu TV showed Mr Natano did not retain his seat.
He could not immediately be reached for comment. Another leadership contender, Seve Paeniu, has said diplomatic ties should be reviewed and the new government should decide whether Taiwan or China can best respond to Tuvalu’s needs.
Mr Paeniu was returned unopposed in the Nukulaelae island electorate. He said he would seek to form a coalition among elected representatives to run for prime minister.
There are no political parties in Tuvalu’s parliament, where two representatives are elected in each of the eight island electorates.
What the election means for ties with Taiwan and China
The diplomatic tussle between Taiwan and China comes amid a wider contest between China and the US for influence in the Pacific.
It saw Washington recently pledge the first submarine cable to connect Tuvalu to global telecommunications.
Mr Paeniu told the Reuters news agency the diplomatic recognition of Taiwan or China should be debated by the new government.
“Our last government under Prime Minister Natano had extensive internal discussions about it upon the commencement of our term in government to determine our policy stance on it, so undoubtedly the new government would need to look at the matter and decide its policy position accordingly,” Mr Paeniu said.
Leadership hopefuls still in the race
Another leadership contender, Enele Sopoaga, was still waiting for results to learn his fate.
Mr Sopoaga previously supported Taiwan ties but wanted a security deal with Australia to be scrapped.
Former foreign minister Simon Kofe, who attracted global headlines in 2021 when he delivered a speech to the United Nations climate change summit standing knee-deep in water to highlight the plight of the low-lying nation, retained his seat in parliament for Funafuti.
Tuvalu election commissioner Tufoua Panapa said after polling booths closed the new representatives would meet next week to vote for a prime minister, at a time notified by the governorgeneral.”
We will have a clearer picture by next week as we need to bring elect-MPs to the capital island from the outer-islands,” he said.