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By ISAAC NICHOLAS
PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare was elected to the top post by
Parliament yesterday by an overwhelming majority to lead the country
again.
Sir Michael secured 86 votes, with members and parties to the Warangoi
Accord electing to stay together with the Chief in probably his last
term in Parliament and as prime minister.
But the election was not without some drama, with a member of Government
breaking rank to vote for Bart Philemon as Speaker. But that was not
enough, with Jeffery Nape winning the post 86 votes to 22.
After Sir Michael was nominated by South Bougainville MP Michael Laimo,
Mr Philemon stood up and nominated Sir Julius Chan for prime minister,
arguing that the standing orders required another candidate to also
contest.
Speaker Nape rejected this, saying the Organic Law on the Integrity of
Political Parties and Candidates required that a vote be taken after the
candidate from the party with the majority of numbers was invited.
Mr Philemon raised a point of order, and called for the election of the
prime minister to be deferred until after the Supreme Court had
determined a case filed by the Opposition. This matter comes up on
Friday. But Speaker Nape ignored this and went ahead with the election
of the prime minister.
Members voted according to the resolution of their political party. The
21 members from the Opposition (PNG Party, New Generation Party,
People’s Progress Party and People’s Labour Party) voted against Sir
Michael.
After his election, Sir Michael thanked the people of PNG for their
confidence in mandating NA to form government.
“The country needs stability and continuity to progress. The mandate we
now collectively have is founded on the people’s desire for certainty.”
He said that over the last five years the country had experienced what
would happen when Members worked together in the interest of the
country.
He said PNG experienced economic growth that was unprecedented.
“This experience will be used to achieve even greater heights over the
next five years.”
He said he was happy to lead a large but manageable coalition Government
made up of seasoned leaders and fresh, energetic, young and articulate
leaders.
 
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