Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine narrowly survived a vote of no confidence Monday, seeing off a challenge she alleges was orchestrated by Chinese-backed business interests intent on undermining the Pacific nation's sovereignty. The vote to topple Heine, the first and only elected female leader of a Pacific island nation, split parliament 16-16, one short of the 17 her opponents required. President Heine, Finance Minister Brenson Wase and Foreign Minister John Silk led 45 minutes of government response to the five issues outlined by the motion movers, with President Heine saying the vote was really a “referendum about our own politics.”

Wase said the criticism of the Marshall Islands government for moving ahead with a digital currency plan has been overtaken by events, with numerous countries in the Pacific following the Marshall Islands with announcements that they will be establishing their own digital currencies and requesting support from the International Monetary Fund. Silk said the international recognition accorded President Heine and her government showed the opposition’s contention that the government had ruined the nation’s reputation internationally was wrong. Immediately after the vote results were confirmed, Speaker Kenneth Kedi, who had backed the no confidence move, congratulated Heine and her Cabinet, and then, following a motion to recess, declared Nitijela to be in recess pending the call of the Speaker.
Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine narrowly survives a 16-16 vote of no confidence. 17 votes were needed to remove Heine from office.