PNG coalition to form next government after vote — PM

PORT MORESBY: A coalition of four parties is set to form Papua New Guinea’s next government, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said yesterday, as counting in the recent national election was extended.

O’Neill’s People’s National Congress ( PNC) won the last election in 2012, and the incumbent leader said he was again joining forces with the People’s Progress Party, United Resources Party and Social Democratic Party.

No party has ever won a majority, meaning a coalition had been likely, held together by strategic political appointments.

“Our coalition of parties and independent Members of Parliament have agreed to support a PNC-led government to form the 10th parliament of Papua New Guinea,” O’Neill said in a joint statement with the other parties.

“Drawing on the experience of the past five years, our government in the next parliament, will work as a group to manage all challenges that we face.”

O’Neill added that he was confident his party was on track to have the largest number of MPs in parliament and would be asked by the governor- general Robert Dadae to form the next government.

Counting for the 111- seat parliament was extended to Friday from Monday, after the 14-day long voting process across the vast and remote country ended on July 8. — AFP