THE island of Nauru’s opposition politicians have joined President David Adeang’s government, leaving the 19-member parliament without any political opposition.
Mr Adeang said the move reflected “unity, stability and shared purpose,” and that two politicians appointed as deputy cabinet ministers meant parliament was in total support of the government for the first time since independence from Australia in 1968.
Government Facebook posts were the sole source of information.
All news outlets in the country of 12,000 people are government-owned, and foreign reporters are discouraged from travelling there, with journalist visa applications priced at 8,000 Australian dollars (£4,104).
Mr Adeang said there would “still be a diversity of views and robust debate as in any strong and healthy democracy,” but did not explain what prompted the change or who would scrutinise the government.
In August, he made global headlines by announcing the country would officially be known as Naoero, adopting the local spelling of its name.
The president arrived in China today for meetings with officials, accompanied by other politicians, including the newly appointed cabinet members.
