THE caretaker prime minister of Papua New Guinea, Peter O'Neill, is
firming in the leadership as his party continues to lead in results
from national elections, but he will face challenges from former
political allies.
The chances of a comeback or vindictive sweep by the former prime minister Sir Michael Somare, whom Mr O'Neill ousted in parliamentary manoeuvres last August, are fading, and his son and political heir apparent Arthur Somare has lost his seat.
Mr O'Neill's People's National Congress has won eight of the 32 seats in which results have been declared, and leads the count in another 21 seats in the 111-member Parliament.
The closest contender is the Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party of long-time minister Don Polye - with three confirmed seats and the lead in 11 others - who will try to build enough support to force Mr O'Neill to play second bow in a coalition.
Sir Michael has one of three seats won by his National Alliance and may end up with about seven, probably not enough to form a coalition behind him or play the kingmaker.
The dark horse is the caretaker deputy prime minister, Belden Namah, who is yet to seal a win in his own seat and has only three members for his PNG Party so far.
The political big men go into huddles with their followers this weekend, Mr O'Neill taking his party's new MPs and leading candidates to a resort at Milne Bay, and Mr Polye took his group to a hotel at Kokopo, on East New Britain island.
By convention the governor-general invites the party with the largest number of MPs to try to form a government. The Electoral Commission is due to publish writs giving final results next Friday, and Parliament will meet in mid-August, allowing a fortnight for intense coalition building.
Port Moresby newspapers indicate Mr Namah's party is offering large sums of money for independents and minor party members to join. The targets are said to include the Southern Highlands Governor and leader of People's United Assembly, Anderson Agiru, and Peter Ipatas, who is the Enga Governor and head of the People's Party.
Mr O'Neill may be aided by two former prime ministers with significant blocs in the new Parliament. Sir Julius Chan is one of five members of his People's Progress Party, and Paias Wingti could be one of a three-member group.
Only one female candidate is looking a strong contender: Delilah Gore of Mr Polye's THE party, has extended her lead.
The chances of a comeback or vindictive sweep by the former prime minister Sir Michael Somare, whom Mr O'Neill ousted in parliamentary manoeuvres last August, are fading, and his son and political heir apparent Arthur Somare has lost his seat.
Mr O'Neill's People's National Congress has won eight of the 32 seats in which results have been declared, and leads the count in another 21 seats in the 111-member Parliament.
The closest contender is the Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party of long-time minister Don Polye - with three confirmed seats and the lead in 11 others - who will try to build enough support to force Mr O'Neill to play second bow in a coalition.
Sir Michael has one of three seats won by his National Alliance and may end up with about seven, probably not enough to form a coalition behind him or play the kingmaker.
The dark horse is the caretaker deputy prime minister, Belden Namah, who is yet to seal a win in his own seat and has only three members for his PNG Party so far.
The political big men go into huddles with their followers this weekend, Mr O'Neill taking his party's new MPs and leading candidates to a resort at Milne Bay, and Mr Polye took his group to a hotel at Kokopo, on East New Britain island.
By convention the governor-general invites the party with the largest number of MPs to try to form a government. The Electoral Commission is due to publish writs giving final results next Friday, and Parliament will meet in mid-August, allowing a fortnight for intense coalition building.
Port Moresby newspapers indicate Mr Namah's party is offering large sums of money for independents and minor party members to join. The targets are said to include the Southern Highlands Governor and leader of People's United Assembly, Anderson Agiru, and Peter Ipatas, who is the Enga Governor and head of the People's Party.
Mr O'Neill may be aided by two former prime ministers with significant blocs in the new Parliament. Sir Julius Chan is one of five members of his People's Progress Party, and Paias Wingti could be one of a three-member group.
Only one female candidate is looking a strong contender: Delilah Gore of Mr Polye's THE party, has extended her lead.
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