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+--- Thread: PM Office Declared Vacant by Parliament (/showthread.php?tid=893)
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- Tree - 05-29-2012
PM Namah declared on Wednesday??
Does not sound like a legal remedy to the situation, but they will proceed with it anyways. We may end with 3 PM's as this move equals a vote of confidence for O'Neill.
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PNG PM's office declared vacant
By Online Editor
5:33 pm GMT+12, 29/05/2012, Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea has gone from two prime ministers to none, with parliament declaring the office vacant until Wednesday.
Deputy Speaker Francis Marus opened Tuesday's special sitting of parliament saying the Supreme Court had declared Sir Michael Somare was the legitimate prime minister.
He added, however, that Sir Michael couldn't serve in the position because he was disqualified from parliament for missing three consecutive sittings.
“This means there is now a vacancy in the office of prime minister,” he said.
“I formally declare there to be a vacancy in the office of prime minister.
“Tomorrow, therefore, is when a new prime minister will be appointed - nominations for the office of the prime minister will be first on the agenda for tomorrow.”
The surprise move was made shortly after MPs gathered in parliament.
Prime Minister Peter O'Neill was not present, however his deputy, Belden Namah, was.
The Supreme Court last week ruled Sir Michael Somare was the nation's legitimate PM, sparking a series of dramatic events that culminated in O'Neill's government declaring a state of emergency in three provinces.
In December last year, PNG briefly had two prime minister's and two cabinets after the court handed down its first decision.
Comment is being sought from Mr O'Neill.
When asked about Mr Marus's declaration that the prime ministership was vacant, Mr O'Neill's spokesman Daniel Korembao said he knew nothing about it.
“I don't know about that, you'll have to ask the deputy speaker.”
Shortly after the declaration, Namah called a caucus meeting in parliament's stateroom and was overheard saying he'd seek legal advice.
- jft310 - 05-29-2012
Circus of PNG politics continues.
- ValueSleuth - 05-29-2012
This kind of stuff is why I expecting delays on our favorite project announcements until resolution of all these issues -- the election, the sitting of a new parliament, installation of a new PM, NEC, Supreme Court, Energy Minister, etc.
Nobody would want to participate in a move that could make them look bad by a later reversal of action -- especially IOC management.
Things would get much worse if that happened.
VS
- Palm - 05-29-2012
This also could be another attempt by Namah similar to the delayed vote. He acted on his own and when the GG and O'Neill get involved he could be hung out to dry. Namah is as near a madman as there is, and the fact that he has a lot of military backing is worrisome. However O'Neill probably has a good bit of dirt on him and Namah could end up in jail. There were rumors during the vote delay scandal that Namah was being replaced; this time it could actually happen.
Namah has accumulated a lot of wealth, and I doubt it was from working hard. He's letting that go to his head and he's probably bribed a lot of people giving him the impression that he can pull off a coup. Very dangerous combo, but the Aussies, US and others will get involved if they have to and tame the Namah movement.
Another day another crisis in PNG. Been that way for a long time.
- Palm - 05-29-2012
Looks like this is actually a challenge by O'Neill for Somare's supporters to show up in parliament and have a fair vote. He and Namah are projecting O'Neill will again be elected by Parliament as legal PM during the caretaker period. Interesting move, but it's been the case for quite a while; O'Neill has widespread support:
"PNG's top job up for grabs again Port Moresby
May 30, 2012.
PETER O'Neill said he will stand again for Papua New Guinea's prime ministership today after the deputy speaker unexpectedly threw the position open.
As Deputy Speaker Francis Marus opened yesterday's special sitting of the PNG Parliament he said the Supreme Court had declared Sir Michael Somare the legitimate prime minister.
But he said Sir Michael, who was ousted as leader last August, could not serve in the position because he had been disqualified from Parliament for missing three consecutive sittings
Mr O'Neill challenged Sir Michael's supporters, many of whom have boycotted Parliament, to turn up today and compete for the top job.
''Parliament has decided in its wisdom that we will recognise the court's decision … and I acknowledge there is a vacancy in the office of prime minister,'' he said. ''I urge the Somare faction: let us end this once and for all. I urge him, take his faction to Parliament so they can also have an opportunity to nominate a candidate.''
Mr O'Neill's deputy, Belden Namah, said the government would nominate Mr O'Neill.
''Tomorrow will be fair game, fair play, like on the rugby field,'' he said.
''We shall put all questions on the prime ministership to rest. I will nominate Peter O'Neill to be the prime minister of this country.''
The timing of yesterday's decision was surprising. Only last week MPs voted to disregard a Supreme Court decision to reinstate Sir Michael as PM.
A spokesman for Mr O'Neill had said on Monday that Parliament was convening to pass legislation defining the boundaries of last week's vote for a state of emergency in three provinces. Mr O'Neill was not in Parliament when Mr Marus read his statement.
But Mr Namah called a caucus meeting in Parliament's stateroom and was heard saying he would seek legal advice.
A clearly surprised Mr O'Neill rushed to join the meeting and was seen through glass doors addressing MPs along with Mr Namah.
Sir Michael's son, suspended MP Arthur Somare, said he did not expect his father's supporters to show up today."
http://www.smh.com.au/world/pngs-top-job-up-for-grabs-again-20120529-1zhcf.html
- jft310 - 05-29-2012
Somare is dead from the shoulders up.And he's supposed to be PM...LOL
- Tree - 05-30-2012
Lookie RosiePalmTok, O'Neill 'turned up'!! Me thinks you right, this was a show for Parliament to re-appoint O'Neill as the caretaker PM as Parliament appoints PMs, not SC. Is it constitutional?? Don't cre at this point as long as these guys play with words and not bullets and machetes I'm happy.
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PNG parliament to vote a new PM today in ongoing political turmoil
Posted at 19:40 on 29 May, 2012 UTC
Papua New Guinea’s parliament is due to sit again today to elect a Prime Minister after the position was declared vacant yesterday.
The acting Speaker has acknowledged last week’s Supreme Court ruling that Sir Michael Somare was illegally removed as the country’s prime minister in August last year.
He then immediately disqualified Sir Michael as a member of parliament for missing three consecutive sessions since January this year.
Our correspondent Titi Gabi reports that this current special sitting, called by the rival administration of Peter O’Neill, comes two weeks after parliament was officially dissolved ahead of general elections next month.
“And they adjourned. Then O’Neill wasn’t in parliament but shortly after they adjourned he turned up and they had a caucus and the latest we hear is that they will put him up as a candidate when they resume (parliament) at 10AM.”
Titi Gabi.
- Palm - 05-30-2012
Hohoho, PNG politics at its best. And in the end nothing will have changed. O'Neill's chair is still warm.
- freddiekingman - 05-30-2012
more drama :
http://australianetworknews.com/stories/201205/3514386.htm?desk
- Petrovale - 05-30-2012
Nope, sworn in
http://australianetworknews.com/stories/201205/3514714.htm?desktop