"Insiders" say sidelined Papua New Guinea PM to resume powers

South Pacific Post

Prime Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare is expected to resume duties next Monday [10 January]. Government insiders informed this newspaper last night that Sir Michael was returning to office from his home electorate because of the legal questions surrounding his decision to step aside as prime minister last month [to face a leadership tribunal for alleged failure to file financial returns].

"He is also coming back to work because of issues confronting the National Alliance Party over his decision to demote Don Polye and appoint Sam Abal as deputy PM and acting prime minister.

"The National Alliance Highlands bloc have outstanding issues with him that he needs to deal with. There are other matters like the implementation of the 2011 supplementary budget, which raises some issues over good governance," one insider close to the National Executive Council [cabinet] said last night.

This newspaper was unable to confirm this with the PM's office last night about the Grand Chief's returning to office.

In other political news, there are eight more days before the parliament meets to elect a new governor-general. Parliament was ordered to reconvene before 20 January by the Supreme Court last month after it nullified the election of Sir Paulias Matane in June last year as unconstitutional.

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