Former Speaker Wesley W. Simina on Thursday took his oath as the 10th president of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), succeeding David Panuelo whose term officially expired on the same day.
Pacific Island Times reports that Aren B. Palik, senator-at-large for Kosrae, was also sworn in as the nation’s vice president.
The 23rd FSM Congress elected Simina and Palik during its inaugural session.
Before being elected to the FSM Congress in 2011, Simina served as the governor of Chuuk from July 2005 to July 2011.
“Thank you for giving me the mandate to serve as the next president,” said Simina, who was elected senator-at-large for Chuuk in the March election.
“I intend to serve you with my best ability. I intend to lead to serve you and our country, not lead to be served,” Simina said in a brief remark. Esmond B. Moses was elected speaker of the FSM Congress of the FSM, and Robson U. Romolow was named vice speaker.
