The next Palau President will have big issues to deal with and big shoes to fill.
Photo: 123 RF
Palauans are voting today for what will be the start of a new era, with outgoing President Tommy Remengesau Junior reaching his limit of two terms.
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Either Remengesau's brother-in-law, Surangel Whipps Junior or incumbent Vice-President Raynold Oilouch will be the new head of state.
RNZ Pacific correspondent Bernadette Carreon said the reviving an economy pummeled by the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic will be the biggest challenge.
"Whoever becomes the president and members of congress are going into 2021 with debts that they have to deal with and also a shortfall in the Budget because the lack or absence of tourists because Palau is a tourism-reliant country."
Carreon said whomever wins the vote would also have the tough task of following on from a popular and experienced predecessor.
"Before he became president again he was also in the Senate. He has not left the political life and in the past eight years there has been, President Remengesau has had many legacies that he will leave and I would say it is a big shoe to fill."
She said keeping Palau Covid-19 free was possibly one of Remengsau's greatest achievements.
President Tommy Remengesau Photo: Office of the President / Wendy Capili-Wilkie