ONE of the world’s smallest democracies, with just 800 registered voters, Thursday elected a new prime minister in a vote in its 20-seat parliament.
Veteran politician Young Vivian (66) takes over from former New Zealand Army officer Sani Lakatani. Lakatani did not contest for the job.
Vivian won 14 votes against six for opposition politician Hunuki Hunukitama.
Vivian said he puts good governance, transparency and accountability high on his list of priorities.
He said the importance of such facets had been spelled out to Niue as it battled possible blacklisting by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) which regards the tiny South Pacific country as an uncooperative tax haven.
”People want fair play and they want to contribute to a place where they have a reasonable chance of going forward,” he said.
”One of the key areas is fair play. You are talking about good governance, transparency and accountability.
”The major thing I have to tackle is togetherness and bringing 1 700 people the islands population together.”
Of likely cabinet appointments, he said: ”There are a lot of ill feelings and stories going around. I want to let the dust settle before I make an announcement.
”The election will divide people for the next three years. Some will leave the country because of the results.”
Vivian wants to calm things down in the wake of Niue’s elections 12 days ago. The Niue people did not like elections because they disturbed their village lifestyles. Some defeated Niue election candidates felt humiliated.
One person from Vivians village of Hakupu was considering leaving.
”When you leave with your family of five or six, that is a national disaster,” said Vivian.
”We have to struggle with how democracy works in a small island country.
”These are things we are scared and worried about.” It seems likely that ousted premier Lakatani will be included in Vivians four-person cabinet line up, possibly as deputy premier.
The new leader was coy about whom he would give the nod to, saying he had to explore certain areas and listen to what people thought. He hopes to appoint his cabinet by Sunday.
Lakatani has been involved in controversial schemes, including turning his country into a tax haven run by a Panamanian law firm. – Sapa-AFP