James Marape at the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Meeting in Tonga. 29 August 2024 Photo: Pacific Islands Forum
Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister is feeling "confident" heading into a likely vote of no confidence next week.
James Marape has avoided such a vote in the previous two sessions of this year, but the opposition has indicated it remains keen to try and dethrone him.
Marape, who attending the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leader Meeting, returns to Port Moresby on Thursday.
He told RNZ Pacific in Nuku'alofa that members of parliament were "totally entitled" to pass an assessment on an incumbent administration.
"Our democracy is a robust democracy," he said, adding "and come September, if they if majority feels that my leadership is not worth it, they will make a call."
His comments come amid the latest high-profile defection of Gulf Governor and former deputy prime minister Chris Haiveta.
"I'm pretty confident. I'm pretty relaxed. It's nothing personal. It's up to members of parliament to pass this judgment," he said.
"I got no problem with it. We'll see how it goes next week."
The PNG parliament is set to resume on next Tuesday and again for the opposition it is a chance to try and unseat the Marape's government.
Efforts to bring a vote of no confidence have dominated PNG politics this year and, as far as the opposition is concerned, will continue next week.
Mr Marape has again expressed his confidence while the opposition has not yet revealed who their contender for prime minister is.
RNZ Pacific's PNG correspondent, Scott Waide, asked opposition leader, Douglas Tomuriesa, who their candidate for alternative prime minister is.
"He hasn't given me a straight answer," Waide said.
"Obviously, he is not the one putting his hand up to be prime minister. One - the MP who was looking to be PM was Rainbo Paita.
"Now that Chris Haiveta has moved over there are discussions around whether he could be the one who's going to put his hand up as the most senior person on the other side."