Somare ready to relinquish Leadership wont contest PM job.

AAP

Papua New Guinea's veteran leader Michael Somare is facing a party leadership challenge that he will not contest, his spokeswoman says, in a move which could see him pushed from power.

Rival bids by Transport Minister Don Polye and Deputy Prime Minister Puka Temu to lead the ruling National Alliance will be discussed at a party meeting later on Monday, and Mr Somare's spokeswoman says he is unlikely to fight them.

"He's the one who's introduced democracy to PNG so I think he'll go with what other members of his party want," the spokeswoman told Agence France-Presse of Mr Somare.
"He's not putting up a particular person at this stage. He'll just support the party."

All year, local newspapers have reported rumours that PNG's rugged Highlands region, led by Mr Polye, has been moving to oust Mr Somare and his supporters.

Meanwhile, the opposition, headed by Mekere Morauta, has been running a campaign urging disgruntled parliamentarians to leave a government marred by numerous allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

Earlier this month, the opposition began counting numbers for a vote of no confidence in the government that's expected to be launched when parliament resumes on Tuesday (July 20).

Mr Somare, 74, who was PNG's first prime minister after independence from Australia in 1975, has had three stints in office - the latest beginning in 2002.

He has regularly indicated this will be his last term in office, and his spokeswoman said he was was planning to retire at the next elections in 2012.

"He's just been in politics for too long ... 42 years," she said.

However, Mr Somare - who has faced a row over controversial rules restricting how politicians can vote - could also face a separate ballot to replace him as prime minister.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court decided to revoke reforms made in 2001 to bring about political stability, which the court found were unconstitutional.

The law reversal led to the push tomove for a vote of no-confidence in the government.

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