Papua New Guinea - Head of Government

The Rt Hon Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare is serving his fourth term in office as Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea following his victory in the July 2007 general election as Leader of the National Alliance Party. He took office earlier in 2002.

Sir Michael was the first Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea following Independence, serving from 1975 to 1981, and again from 1982 to 1985. His first two terms were as a member of the Pangu Pati.

In between Sir Michael’s premiership, he was Leader of the Opposition from 1981 to 1982, 1985 to 1987, and from 2001 to 2002.

From 1999 to 2001, Sir Michael was Minister for Mining and Bougainville Affairs. He formed the National Alliance Party in 1996.

Sir Michael was elected to the House of Assembly in 1968 as a member of the Pangu Pati which he had founded in 1967. He became the first official Opposition Party Leader. Prior to entering politics, Sir Michael was a broadcast officer and teacher.

He was born on 9 April 1936 in Rabaul, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea.