Bikenibeu Paeniu

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Bikenibeu Paeniu (born May 10, 1956 Bikenibeu, Tarawa) is a politician from Tuvalu.

Paeniu made his entrance on the political scene in 1989, when he won a seat in the Tuvaluan parliament following a by-election. Later that year, he challenged incumbent Prime Minister Tomasi Puapua in the general election - and won.

He was narrowly defeated by Kamuta Latasi in an election of 1993. However, he replaced Latasi in 1996, being the first and only Tuvaluan so far to serve as Prime Minister for two non-consecutive terms.

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.

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 Ionatana was elected on April 26.

He currently sits as a Member of Parliament, representing the constituency of Nukulaelae island. In addition, he served as Minister of Finance and Economic Planning in the five-person Cabinet of Saufatu Sopoanga.

[edit] References

• PAENIU, Rt Hon Bikenibeu International Who's Who. accessed September 1, 2006.