SYDNEY -- The China-leaning incumbent ruler of Kiribati is in pole position for a third and final term as leader of the Pacific island country after winning overwhelming support in a parliamentary vote to choose candidates for the presidential election that left the pro-Taiwan opposition leader out of the running.
Voting age citizens of the country, which according to its 2020 census has a population of more than 119,000, are scheduled to vote at the end of next month after newly-elected lawmakers sat in parliament on Friday of last week to select a shortlist of candidates.
