No-confidence vote in Papua New Guinea

On August 3, the Papua New Guinean parliament  held a successful no-confidence vote against the government of acting Prime Minister Sam Abal, who had held the post since his predecessor, Michael Somare, resigned in December 2010. Abal was replaced by Peter O’Neill, who previously headed the Works Ministry and the Treasury Ministry. O’Neill is now in the process of forming a Cabinet, which could include former Prime Minister Mekere Morauta as treasury minister, and O’Neill is thought to be capable of bringing stability to his position until formal elections take place in 2012. Abal’s government has challenged the constitutionality of O’Neill’s election, but it was unsuccessful. Arthur Somare, the son of the former prime minister, has said he intends to file a new suit, and the Supreme Court will hear a separate case filed by Abal. The court is expected to uphold the legality of the vote, solidifying O’Neill in his new position.