Papua New Guinea: Prime Minister Marape almost certain to defeat motion of no confidence

On 8 April, the parliament of Papua New Guinea (PNG) postponed a motion of no confidence (MONC) against Prime Minister (PM) James Marape to 15 April 2025. The adjournment follows a procedural formality which requires a MONC to be discussed at least a week after a notice has been submitted. The Supreme Court had ordered a recall of  parliament on 8 April to debate the MONC against PM Marape after it had found that actions taken by the parliament’s Private Business Committee and Deputy Speaker Koni Iguan in November 2024 were unconstitutional. The committee had denied the MONC due to a standing order which disallows MONCs deemed identical to resolved ones held within the previous 12 months.

Assessment: PM James Marape will almost certainly defeat the MONC, which appears to be a formality to uphold democratic standards than a legitimate threat to stability. PM Marape commands the support of more than two thirds of  MPs, which has enabled him to pass several major constitutional amendments over the previous month including the declaration of Papua New Guinea as a Christian nation. On 7 April, the day prior to the originally scheduled parliamentary discussion of the MONC,  82 MPs aligned with the government convened to discuss the proceedings, whereas 16 MPs met in opposition.

Sources: Scott Waide, “Supreme Court orders a recall of Papua New Guinea parliament,” RNZ, April 1,2025; “PNG no-confidence vote postponed,” RNZ, April 9, 2025; “Vote of no-confidence motion against PNG's Prime Minister postponed,” ABC Pacific, April 10, 2025; “Four political camps for VONC; Government side locks in 82 members,” Post Courier, April 7,2025.