Papua New Guinea’s Marape Faces New No-Confidence Motion

Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister, James Marape, is bracing for a new challenge to his leadership as the opposition has filed a no-confidence motion against his government. This marks the second such challenge this year, with the motion spearheaded by his political rival, former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill. Marape confirmed the impending motion in a media statement on Wednesday.

Marape has a complicated history with O’Neill, having served as a key member of his administration from August 2012 until April 2019, when he held the finance portfolio. After resigning from O’Neill’s camp, Marape succeeded him and was elected Prime Minister in May 2019. In his recent statement, Marape expressed his readiness to confront any political challenge, saying, “This is not the first time Peter O’Neill has challenged me, and it may not be the last.”

The Prime Minister emphasized that O’Neill has continually sought various political and legal avenues to unseat him since leaving his government. “But I remain focused on governing and serving our people,” Marape added, highlighting the ongoing political turbulence in the country.

Political Landscape and Economic Growth

Marape pointed out that Papua New Guinea has faced significant political crises over multiple years, including 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, and now again in 2025. Despite these challenges, he asserted that his government has remained resilient. “We delivered the highest number of MPs returned for any party since the Somare Government in 1982,” he stated. He also reported an impressive growth in the economy, claiming it has expanded by over PGK50 billion since he took office.

“The record speaks for itself – in economic management, infrastructure delivery, and service expansion,” Marape said. He reiterated the distinction between himself and O’Neill, stating, “It’s O’Neill versus Marape – the former versus the present; PNC (People’s National Congress) versus Pangu. The contrast is clear: the former Prime Minister ran the country down for eight years, while we are working to grow the economy, rebuild institutions, and restore trust in leadership.”

In March 2025, the PNG National Parliament passed an amendment to the Constitution, allowing for an 18-month grace period following an unsuccessful no-confidence motion against the ruling Prime Minister and government. This amendment may impact the upcoming vote, as Marape indicated he would not pressure any Member of Parliament to support his leadership.

A Call for Democratic Principles

Describing the no-confidence motion as “a distraction,” Marape encouraged MPs to vote according to their convictions. “If MPs believe O’Neill is the better leader, they should vote for him. That is democracy,” he asserted. He appealed to those who support his vision for a stronger, fairer Papua New Guinea to stand with him.

Marape’s closing remarks were a call for responsible governance and an end to constant political maneuvering. “Fifty years on, our nation deserves better. Leaders must grow up and make responsible choices. The people are watching, and history will judge us by how we act today,” he concluded.

As this political drama unfolds, the outcome of the no-confidence motion remains uncertain, but it is clear that the stakes for both leaders are high in the evolving political landscape of Papua New Guinea.