Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Somare elected PNG PM for second consecutive 5-year term

Posted at 03:49 on 13 August, 2007 UTC

Papua New Guinea’s parliament has elected Sir Michael Somare as Prime Minister for a second consecutive five-year term.

A coalition of parties led by his National Alliance party secured 86 votes in the 109-seat Parliament, defeating a rival group led by former prime minister Sir Julius Chan and Sir Michael’s former treasurer Bart Philemon.

Sir Michael was Papua New Guinea’s chief minister in 1972 and became the nation’s first prime minister at independence in 1975.

He has now won the position four times.

Earlier today, the parliament aain elected Jeffrey Nape as the speaker.