National Alliance Party (Papua New Guinea)
Encyclopedia
The National Alliance Party is a political party in Papua New Guinea
. It was founded in 1995 by Bernard Narokobi
, Moi Avei, Bart Philemon and Masket Iangalio, who invited Sir Michael Somare
to lead them to the 1997 elections after he had been sacked as leader of the Pangu Party
.
National Alliance took 19 of 109 seats in parliament
at the 2002 election
, making it the largest single party, and as such the party was invited to form the government. The National Alliance-led government of 2002-2007 was the first government since independence in 1975 to survive a full five year term - all previous governments had fallen to votes of no confidence. In 2006, party co-founder Bart Philemon attempted to depose Somare as party leader, but this challenge was unsuccessful and Philemon went to the opposition benches, remaining there as leader of the New Generation Party
even after Somare’s victory in the elections. At the 2007 general election
, the party increased its representation, gaining 27 seats and remaining by far the largest party. Michael Somare was easily confirmed by Parliament for another term as prime minister, as several parties joined a coalition with the National Alliance, and 13 independents announced their decision to join the National Alliance party, bringing its representation to 40 members.
Party leaders and members include:
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
. It was founded in 1995 by Bernard Narokobi
Bernard Narokobi
Bernard Narokobi was a Papua New Guinean politician and philosopher. He was serving as the Papua New Guinean High Commissioner to New Zealand prior to his death. Between 1987 and 1997 he represented his Wewak Open Electorate as a Member in the Papua New Guinea's National Parliament...
, Moi Avei, Bart Philemon and Masket Iangalio, who invited Sir Michael Somare
Michael Somare
Sir Michael Thomas Somare, GCL, GCMG, CH, CF, KStJ, MP was Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea from 2002 to 2011; he had previously been Prime Minister from independence in 1975 until 1980 and again from 1982 until 1985. Somare's first two terms were as a member of the Pangu Party, but he then...
to lead them to the 1997 elections after he had been sacked as leader of the Pangu Party
Pangu Party
The Pangu Party or Papua and Niugini Union Pati is a political party in Papua New Guinea.It was founded in 1968 by Michael Somare, who served as prime minister of Papua New Guinea as the leader of the Pangu Party from 1972 to 1980 and from 1982 to 1985...
.
National Alliance took 19 of 109 seats in parliament
National Parliament of Papua New Guinea
The National Parliament of Papua New Guinea is the unicameral national legislature in Papua New Guinea. It was first created in 1964 as the House of Assembly of Papua and New Guinea, but gained its current name with the granting of independence in 1975....
at the 2002 election
Papua New Guinean general election, 2002
General elections were held between 15-29 June, 2002 in Papua New Guinea. Sir Michael Somare's National Alliance Party won the most seats, and he went on to become Prime Minister.-Results:...
, making it the largest single party, and as such the party was invited to form the government. The National Alliance-led government of 2002-2007 was the first government since independence in 1975 to survive a full five year term - all previous governments had fallen to votes of no confidence. In 2006, party co-founder Bart Philemon attempted to depose Somare as party leader, but this challenge was unsuccessful and Philemon went to the opposition benches, remaining there as leader of the New Generation Party
New Generation Party (Papua New Guinea)
The New Generation Party is a political party in Papua New Guinea. The party won 4 out of 109 seats in the 2007 General Elections...
even after Somare’s victory in the elections. At the 2007 general election
Papua New Guinean general election, 2007
General elections were held in Papua New Guinea from 30 June 2007 to 14 July 2007.For the first time, the election did not use first past the post , but rather Limited Preferential Voting, in which voters number...
, the party increased its representation, gaining 27 seats and remaining by far the largest party. Michael Somare was easily confirmed by Parliament for another term as prime minister, as several parties joined a coalition with the National Alliance, and 13 independents announced their decision to join the National Alliance party, bringing its representation to 40 members.
Party leaders and members include:
- Simon Kaiwi (president)
- Stephen Pokawin, former governor of ManusManus ProvinceManus Province is the smallest province in Papua New Guinea with a land area of 2,100 km², but with more than 220,000 km² of water. The capital of the province is Lorengau and the total population is 43,387 ....
(general secretary) - Sir Michael SomareMichael SomareSir Michael Thomas Somare, GCL, GCMG, CH, CF, KStJ, MP was Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea from 2002 to 2011; he had previously been Prime Minister from independence in 1975 until 1980 and again from 1982 until 1985. Somare's first two terms were as a member of the Pangu Party, but he then...
, Prime Minister, Member for East SepikEast SepikEast Sepik is a province in Papua New Guinea. Its capital is Wewak. East Sepik has an estimated population of 343,180 people and is roughly 42,800 km square in size.-History:...
Provincial (parliamentary leader) - Dr Puka TemuPuka TemuSir Puka Temu, KBE, CMG is a Papua New Guinean politician. From 2007 to 2010, he was deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Lands, Physical Planning and Mining in the government led by Prime Minister Michael Somare. Temu is a member of the National Alliance Party. In July 2010, he spearheaded an...
, Deputy Prime Minister, Member for Abau Open (CentralCentral Province (Papua New Guinea)Central Province is a province in Papua New Guinea located on the southern coast of the country. It has a population of 183,983 people and is in size. The seat of government of Central Province, which is located within the National Capital District outside the province, is the Port Moresby suburb...
) - Don PolyeDon PolyeDon Polye is a Papua New Guinean politician from Enga Province. He was the Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation from July 2006 to August 2009. Sir Michael Somare, the Prime Minister, appointed Polye to that position in July 2006 as part of a Cabinet reshuffle...
, Member for Kandep Open (EngaEnga ProvinceEnga refers to both an ethnic group located in the highlands of Papua New Guinea and the province in which they are the majority ethnic group.-Physical geography:...
) - Patrick Pruaitch, Member for Aitape-Lumi Open (West SepikSandaunSandaun Province, officially West Sepik Province, is the north-westernmost province of Papua New Guinea. It covers an area of 36,300 km² and has a population of 185,741 . The capital is Vanimo...
) - Arthur SomareArthur SomareThe Honourable Arthur Somare is a Member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea. He represents the electorate of Angoram Open in East Sepik province....
, Member for Angoram Open (East SepikEast SepikEast Sepik is a province in Papua New Guinea. Its capital is Wewak. East Sepik has an estimated population of 343,180 people and is roughly 42,800 km square in size.-History:...
) - Sir Arnold AmetArnold AmetSir Arnold Amet is a Papua New Guinean politician.He was the Governor of Madang Province from November 2007 to December 2010, whereupon he resigned the position to be appointed Minister for Justice and Attorney General in Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare's Cabinet...
, Governor of MadangMadangMadang is the capital of Madang Province and is a town with a population of 27,420 on the north coast of Papua New Guinea. It was first settled by the Germans in the 19th century....
and Member for Madang Provincial, probable future Party leader according to Pacific Magazine