East Makira MP and former Agriculture Minister, under GNUT Franklyn Wasi officially joined the rival coalition, to solidify their numerical strength in a latest group photo.
Wasi was among the 12 Cabinet Ministers who recently resigned from the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT). He was away overseas, when he submitted his resignation from the government last week.
In a statement issued Monday, the coalition welcomed his return as a sign of “solidarity and confidence,” adding that their group now holds a clear majority in the 50-seat house.
With 28 members now reportedly in their camp, the coalition leaders have reiterated their ultimatum to Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele: resign immediately or advise the Speaker to convene Parliament to test the government’s numerical strength.
“GNUT is hanging on to power with a minority government, lacking a mandate and governing without majority confidence,” the group stated.
They argued that continuing to govern with only 22 MPs is “intolerable” and a breach of the foundational democratic principle of majority rule.
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, however, has remained remarkably composed in the face of the defections.
During a Sunday media briefing, he dismissed the coalition’s public displays of strength, cautioning that political alliances are often fluid and that public statements and group photographs are merely a “snapshot” of a moment in time.
“The Constitution is clear: the confidence of Parliament in a Prime Minister is tested and determined only through a motion of no confidence on the floor of Parliament,” Manele asserted.
He reminded the public and his rivals that under the separation of powers, a government remains fully operational and legitimate until it is formally defeated in a parliamentary vote.
While the coalition counts its “snapshot” majority, the Prime Minister continues to appoint acting ministers to fill the gaps left by the defectors, maintaining that he will only relinquish power if the numbers hold up during a formal constitutional showdown.
He told local journalists during the Sunday media conference that he will call Parliament ‘at an appropriate time.’
