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James Marape attends the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Tonga. 29 August 2024
photo: Pacific Islands Forum
Papua New Guinea’s prime minister feels “confident” about a possible no-confidence vote next week.
James Marape avoided such a vote in the first two sittings this year, but the opposition says it is still eager to try to oust him.
Marape, who is attending the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting, will return to Port Moresby on Thursday.
He told New Zealand’s Pacific Radio in Nuku’alofa that members of parliament had “every right” to assess the current government.
“Our democracy is a strong democracy,” he said, adding, “come September, if the majority decide that my leadership is not worthy, they will make their decision.”
His comments come against the backdrop of the recent high-profile defection of Chris Haiveta, the governor of Gulf Province and former deputy prime minister.
“I am confident and relaxed. This is not a personal vendetta, it is up to the judgement of the members of parliament,” he said.
“I’m fine with that. We’ll see how it goes next week.”
Papua New Guinea’s parliament is scheduled to resume next Tuesday, which is another opportunity for the opposition to overthrow the Marape government.
Efforts for a no-confidence vote have dominated Papua New Guinea politics this year and, for the opposition, will continue next week.
Mr Marape again expressed his confidence, while the opposition is yet to reveal who its candidate for prime minister is.
RNZ Pacific’s Papua New Guinea correspondent Scott Waide asked Opposition Leader Douglas Tomuriesa who their candidate for replacement prime minister was.
“He didn’t give me a straight answer,” Wade said.
“Obviously, he was not the one who volunteered to run for prime minister. One of the MPs who wanted to run for prime minister was Rainbo Paita.
“Now that Chris Hevetta has transferred, people are starting to talk about whether he could be the most senior candidate on the other side.”
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