Tuvalu’s pro-Taiwan PM loses seat at election
The Hindu
Funafuti Tuvalu's pro-Taiwan prime minister loses parliamentary seat, raising speculation of diplomatic switch to Beijing.
Tuvalu's pro-Taiwan prime minister has lost his parliamentary seat, election results revealed on January 27, fuelling speculation the microstate may be poised to switch diplomatic recognition to Beijing.
Results showed that Kausea Natano, who has backed long-standing relations with Taipei, failed to win one of two seats up for grabs on the main atoll of Funafuti.
Tuvalu is one of just 12 states around the world, including the Holy See, that still formally recognise Taiwan.
Neighbouring Nauru abruptly severed diplomatic ties in favour of China earlier this month and rumours have swirled that Tuvalu could be next.
There are a little more than 6,000 registered voters in the country of around 11,500 people, and ballots are still coming in from far-flung islands.
With no formal political parties, the process of MPs selecting a prime minister and potentially changing government policies could be slow.
But ahead of election day, Mr. Natano's finance minister, Seve Paeniu, floated the idea of reviewing Taiwan ties.