LIKELY LINE UP FOR NEW COALITION
FORMER Prime Minister (PM) Manasseh Sogavare has reportedly accepted his nomination as the Opposition bloc’s candidate for the post of Prime minister when Parliament votes in a new Prime Minister next Tuesday.
Disgruntled MPs resigned enmasse earlier this week in preparation for a motion of no confidence in the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) coalition.
They demanded the immediate resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Mines, Bradley Tovosia to stem the resignations.
Hon Tovosia did resigned on Tuesday but it was far too late to save the GNUT administration, led by Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele MP.
Now, the two sides continue to trade claims and counter-claims on their numerical strength. But the situation is so fluid it is difficult to do a guess-work on the numerical strength of each group
As of Wednesday, Sogavare’s group was claiming 26 – a figure the group has consistently maintained since Tuesday this week.
Other MPs are expected to jump ship between now and next Tuesday, according to those closely monitoring the number-crunching game.
The Government side, led by Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, is still claiming it has the number to pull through next week’s vote of no confidence – the second following a failed attempt last December.
Weaknesses in the government’s side are beginning to show. The government vainly organised a full breakfast for 21 MPs on Tuesday.
A swearing in ceremony for new Ministers and those who revoked their resignations on Monday were to follow. None of the event took place.
Many have crossed the floor on Monday night to join the Sogavare-Gordon Darcy Lilo- Matthew Wale faction which is camping at the Pacific Casino hotel.
They are expected to remain there until Parliament reconvenes on Tuesday for the motion of no confidence.
In their discussions on Tuesday night, the group has agreed on the ministerial line-up as follows:
Hon Manasseh Sogavare MP – Prime Minister
Hon Matthew Cooper Wale MP – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance;
Hon Gordon Darcy Lilo MP – National Planning and Aid Coordination
Hon Peter Kenilorea Jnr – Foreign Affairs and External Trade;
Hon Rollen Seleso – Minister for Rural Development (MRD)
All other Ministers who crossed the floor would retain their portfolios, according to insiders.
“The line-up has been completed and they remain firm,” insiders said.
There are speculations that some senior Opposition figures such as former Prime Minister Ricky Hou MP and former deputy Prime Minister John Mane, are not really firmed in their support for the leadership.
“That is not true. In fact, they are the very people who chose Hon Sogavare for the top position in recognition of his seniority as the long serving politician in this country. He, Hon Sogavare has graciously accepted the honor,” the insiders said.
“Our expectation is that Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele would officially resign between now and early next week. He no longer has the numbers to govern,” they said.
Some observers said, some MPs in the line-up may cause some uneasiness in carrying out their assigned responsibilities.
However, this has been ruled out and that these could be ironed out over time.
“The first few months would be difficult, but that is not necessarily the priority. The priority is to get the new coalition in place and work towards getting the nation to start moving again,” they said.
By Alfred Sasako
