Bikenibeu Paeniu

Bikenibeu Paeniu (born May 10, 1956 in Tarawa , Gilbert and Ellice Islands ) is a politician from the Pacific island state of Tuvalu and twice former prime minister .

Prime Minister 1989-1993

Paenieu began his political career in 1989 when he was elected Member of the Assembly House (Fale e Fono) in a by-election. Until his electoral defeat in August 2006, he was a member of parliament as a representative of Nukulaelae .

In the same year he successfully challenged incumbent Prime Minister Tomasi Puapua in the parliamentary elections .

On October 16, 1989, Paeniu became Prime Minister of Tuvalu for the first time as successor to Puapua . He held this office until he was defeated by Kamuta Latasi on December 12, 1993.

Prime Minister 1996 to 1999

On December 23, 1996, he defeated Latasi and took over the office of Prime Minister again. During this second term in office there was a controversial discussion about the design of the Tuvalu flag . In 1995, the flag introduced in 1978 was replaced by a new one that was not based on the British one but also showed the islands as stars. Since this flag was never properly adopted by the population, a slightly modified version of the old one was introduced in 1997. On April 13, 1999, Paeniu lost his position following a vote of no confidence .

After leading an executive government, he then handed over the office to Ionatana Ionatana on April 26, 1999 .

On August 2, 2002, Prime Minister Saufatu Sopoanga appointed him Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Industry. He also held this office under his successors until August 14, 2006. The hoped for him millions revenue by selling the rights to use the Internet - domain ".tv" did not materialize.

Web links and background literature

• Biographical notes in rulers.org
• "TV addresses nothing but empty promises" , article dated December 30, 2003
• "Election Results Bring Changes," August 3, 2006 article