Hope for a Government of Unity

Editorial

THE election of the speaker and the prime minister in Parliament yesterday effectively concluded the process of the General Election 2022.
Although the return of writs for 12 seats are yet to be completed, the results will be of no consequence now as far was which political group forms the Government.
Yesterday’s turn of events in Parliament points to a real testing time for PNG’s democracy.
But truth be told, the delay to the start of the session, kept everyone on their toes.
We do anticipate a high number of election petitions to be brought to the court of disputed returns, seems to only affirm the views of some citizens that the 2022 election had been chaotic, to say the least.
Disputed final tallies were bound to create a lot of problems.
But as has happened in previous parliaments, the people have spoken and James Marape has been elected Prime Minister – for a second term.
Whatever grievances there are, as long as the country has a vibrant and impartial judiciary, there is an obvious recourse for those aggrieved by the election results, however long the process might take to deliver justice.
For now, however, it is up to each of the elected MPs to uphold the principles of the democracy they have sworn to uphold as the representatives of the people.
We appeal to the MPs therefore, that despite their differences, they have the interest of the country to protect and demonstrate to the rest of the world that we still an operating democracy.
Perhaps a positive to be drawn from how events unfolded yesterday is that there were no floor-crossings as we have seen so many times in the last parliament – all MPs on the floor voted for the speaker and the prime minister.
Maybe this will be the Government of Unity.
Regardless, we must have a credible opposition that will hold the executive government in check.
The electorate has heard loud and clear the campaign rhetoric and how the country’s economy was either tottering under the current regime.
The current regime also danced to the drum beating of how they resurrected a failing economy under the former regime.
The campaign speeches still ring clear in the minds of voters around the country and some would have been expecting a different result yesterday.
But from the beginning of the setting up of the camp Loloata, the result was becoming apparent.
Prime Minister James Marape has extended the olive branch in a national unity message which should be seriously taken up by all MPs.
Marape said that the government would begin their work by strengthening the democratic processes, building a resilient economy, building economic infrastructure and addressing natural resources.
“We will address businesses and build investment confidence, addressing law and order issues and working on education, health and strengthening the institutions of state.
“These are fundamental areas of focus that must drive our government’s work for the next five years,” he said.
“It will not be easy but it is absolutely necessary.”
And if he keeps his word, the next five years will be good for nation building and increased prosperity.
One thing he can do more is to invest in and empower State institutions and remove any shade of interferences in their functions.
He needs to strengthen the parliamentary committees, giving them teeth to hold the executive government in check.
The business community will also be keenly following how the new government restores confidence and revive the economy.
It is not going to be an easy task and the government knows that.
Marape will need all hands on deck from those who represent the people in 118 electorates around the nation.
They all need to be served.