The political crisis in Papua New Guinea may reach a decisive point later this week. Students, pilots and port workers are all on strike, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, whose government faces a crucial vote on Friday. We have more from Neal Conan in the Pacific News Minute.
For weeks now, Prime Minister O'Neill and his supporters have been trying to run out the clock. If they can find a way to put off a vote on a motion if no confidence for another two weeks, a constitutional grace period kicks in, that prohibits no confidence votes in the year leading up to an election.
But earlier this month, the Supreme Court ordered parliament back into session to consider the motion... As that process began last week in Port Moresby, the government's substantial majority was significantly diminished by the defection of two coalition parties.
After he led his delegation across the aisle, New Generation Party Leader Bire Kimisopa told Radio New Zealand: "It's a culmination of many things - political, social and just the complete disrespect for the rule of law." That last refers to the Prime Minister's uncanny ability to evade long standing corruption charges, but this year, a student strike demanding his resignation forced the cancellation of classes, then pilots at the national airline staged a sick-in, then port workers started a rule book slow down, now health care workers threaten to join in.
Student and labor leaders are expected to hold off on marches or demonstrations for fear that the Prime Minister might use unrest as a pretext to postpone proceedings yet again ...Prime Minister O'Neill says he's confident he can survive what he describes as a costly effort to cause instability and political self-indulgence. The vote is set for Friday.
