Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has survived the Vote of No confidence against his leadership 75 to 32.
Government numbers supported maintaining PM Marape with the Opposition unable to gain favour to have its Alternate PM Rainbo Paita lead.
The speaker of Parliament Job Pomat allowed the motion of the notice of no confidence against the Prime Minister to be entertained after 30 minutes of point of orders and shouts to have a debate on the motion.
Pomat said in any democracy numbers has always spoken.
As he announced the motion, the Opposition clapped in support.
When announcing the numbers in support of PM Marape, the government erupted in applause .
Alternate Prime Minister and Member for Finschhafen, Rainbo Paita acknowledged the 32 Members who supported him in this Vote of No confidence.
Paita also congratulated Prime Minister James Marape, the People of Tari Pori, and the seventy-five (75) Members who have confidence in the Prime Minister.
He challenged the 75 government MPs who have confidence in PM Marape to mean what they say.
Paita highlighted that Albert Einstein once said that politics is more difficult than physics, and he claimed he understood it.
“Sometimes you find friends of confidence on one side. Enemies become friends. Friends become enemies. It’s the nature of the game we’re playing on today.
“When we started to challenge the Government, some of us had a differing view.
“If your conviction is that you have voted the Prime Minister. Tomorrow you must agree. And do not disagree tomorrow.
“You must support the Prime Minister all the way,” said Paita.
Paita said PM Marape has true confidence.
“Prime Minister, you’ve got true confidence. What does that confidence give you? It gives you an opportunity to work.
Meanwhile, Opposition leader and Member for Kiriwina-Goodenough, Douglas Tomuriesa, has humbly accepted the outcome of the Vote of No Confidence against Prime Minister James Marape today.
Following the counting and announcement of the votes, Tomuriesa congratulated Prime Minister Marape on retaining his position.
While acknowledging Marape’s continued leadership, Tomuriesa highlighted ongoing issues that he believes require the Prime Minister’s urgent attention, including the Foreign Exchange Market and inflation in the country. He expressed his willingness to meet with Prime Minister Marape to discuss these issues and explore potential solutions.