Bikenibeu Paeniu
Encyclopedia
The Rt Hon Bikenibeu Paeniu (born May 10, 1956 Bikenibeu
, Tarawa
, in the former Gilbert Islands
) is a politician from Tuvalu
. He has served twice as the third Prime Minister of Tuvalu
.
following a by-election
.
Tomasi Puapua
in the general election and won, becoming the youngest ever Prime Minister of Tuvalu at age 33.
He was narrowly defeated by Kamuta Latasi
in an election of 1993.
In his second premiership term, an issue which arose was the controversy surrounding the design of the national flag of Tuvalu. Paeniu successfully led moves to revert the flag to a previously used design which included the British Union Jack. Paeniu is less overtly republican
in inclination than Latasi.
was elected on April 26.
He sat as a Member of Parliament, representing the constituency of Nukulaelae
island, until 2006. In addition, he served as Minister of Finance and Economic Planning in the five-person Cabinet of Saufatu Sopoanga
. Paeniu is the only Tuvaluan so far to serve as Prime Minister for two non-consecutive terms.
Paeniu lost his seat in Parliament in the 2006 general election
. He faced challenge not only from independent Namoliki Sualiki
, but also from his own brother and nephew, Iefata and Luke, who stood against him in his constituency. Bikenibeu Paeniu received 65 votes (ahead of Iefata's 64 and Luke's 21), but Sualiki was elected with 109.
Bikenibeu
Bikenibeu is a settlement in Kiribati. It is located about two nautical miles from Tarawa.-Landmarks:*Te Umanibong -Cultural Museum...
, Tarawa
Tarawa Atoll
Tarawa is an atoll in the central Pacific Ocean, previously the capital of the former British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. It is the location of the capital of the Republic of Kiribati, South Tarawa...
, in the former Gilbert Islands
Gilbert Islands
The Gilbert Islands are a chain of sixteen atolls and coral islands in the Pacific Ocean. They are the main part of Republic of Kiribati and include Tarawa, the site of the country's capital and residence of almost half of the population.-Geography:The atolls and islands of the Gilbert Islands...
) is a politician from Tuvalu
Tuvalu
Tuvalu , formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is a Polynesian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, midway between Hawaii and Australia. Its nearest neighbours are Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa and Fiji. It comprises four reef islands and five true atolls...
. He has served twice as the third Prime Minister of Tuvalu
Prime Minister of Tuvalu
The Prime Minister of Tuvalu is the head of government of Tuvalu. According to Tuvalu's constitution, the Prime Minister must always be a member of Parliament, and is elected by Parliament in a secret ballot. Because there are no political parties in Tuvalu, any member of Parliament can be...
.
Political career
Paeniu made his entrance on the political scene in 1989, when he won a seat in the Parliament of TuvaluParliament of Tuvalu
The Parliament of Tuvalu is the unicameral national legislature in Tuvalu.-History and political culture:...
following a by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
.
First period of office as Prime Minister
Later in 1989, he challenged incumbent Prime MinisterPrime Minister of Tuvalu
The Prime Minister of Tuvalu is the head of government of Tuvalu. According to Tuvalu's constitution, the Prime Minister must always be a member of Parliament, and is elected by Parliament in a secret ballot. Because there are no political parties in Tuvalu, any member of Parliament can be...
Tomasi Puapua
Tomasi Puapua
Sir Tomasi Puapua, GCMG, KBE, PC is a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu.-Prime minister:He was the second Prime Minister of Tuvalu from 1981-1989...
in the general election and won, becoming the youngest ever Prime Minister of Tuvalu at age 33.
He was narrowly defeated by Kamuta Latasi
Kamuta Latasi
Rt Hon Sir Kamuta Latasi KCMG, OBE, MP, PC is a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu. Latasi served as the 4th Prime Minister of Tuvalu from 1993 until 1996. He has served as the Speaker of the Parliament of Tuvalu from 2006 to 2010....
in an election of 1993.
Second period of office as Prime Minister
However, he replaced Latasi in 1996.In his second premiership term, an issue which arose was the controversy surrounding the design of the national flag of Tuvalu. Paeniu successfully led moves to revert the flag to a previously used design which included the British Union Jack. Paeniu is less overtly republican
Republicanism
Republicanism is the ideology of governing a nation as a republic, where the head of state is appointed by means other than heredity, often elections. The exact meaning of republicanism varies depending on the cultural and historical context...
in inclination than Latasi.
Subsequent career
On April 13, 1999, he was forced out of office due to a vote of no confidence. Paeniu did lead the caretaker government until Ionatana IonatanaIonatana Ionatana
Ionatana Ionatana, CVO, OBE , was a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu. He was the fifth Prime Minister of Tuvalu from April 27, 1999, to December 8, 2000.-Background:...
was elected on April 26.
He sat as a Member of Parliament, representing the constituency of Nukulaelae
Nukulaelae
Nukulaelae is an atoll that is part of the nation of Tuvalu, and has a population of 393. It has the form of an oval and consists of at least 15 islets...
island, until 2006. In addition, he served as Minister of Finance and Economic Planning in the five-person Cabinet of Saufatu Sopoanga
Saufatu Sopoanga
The Rt Hon Saufatu Sopoanga is a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu. Sopoanga was the eighth Prime Minister and a foreign minister of Tuvalu.-Background:...
. Paeniu is the only Tuvaluan so far to serve as Prime Minister for two non-consecutive terms.
Paeniu lost his seat in Parliament in the 2006 general election
Tuvaluan general election, 2006
General elections were held in Tuvalu on 3 August 2006 to elect fifteen members to the Parliament. All fifteen candidates elected were Independents, as there are no political parties in the country....
. He faced challenge not only from independent Namoliki Sualiki
Namoliki Sualiki
Namoliki Sualiki Neemia MBE, generally referred to as Namoliki Sualiki, is a Tuvaluan politician.He obtained a Master of Education degree at James Cook University in Queensland, Australia, in 1994. His thesis, entitled "Learning for life: up to and beyond the year 2000", explored the social aspects...
, but also from his own brother and nephew, Iefata and Luke, who stood against him in his constituency. Bikenibeu Paeniu received 65 votes (ahead of Iefata's 64 and Luke's 21), but Sualiki was elected with 109.