Paias Wingti

Paias Wingti (born 1951) is a Papua New Guinean political figure. He served as the prime minister of Papua New Guinea between 1985 and 1988, and again from 1992 to 1994.

Related Topics:
1951 - Papua New Guinea - Political figure - Prime minister of Papua New Guinea - 1985 - 1988 - 1992 - 1994

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He is a member of a tribe of Western Highlands province called Jika Tribe. While doing his final year in Economics at the University of Papua New Guinea, he stood for election in 1977, winning to become member for Hagen Open in the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea. In 1985, as leader of the People's Democratic Movement which had broken away from the Pangu Party, he became the youngest Prime Minister in the Commonwealth when Michael Somare lost a confidence vote. Julius Chan, himself later a Prime Minister, served as his deputy. In 1987 Wingti was returned to power with a slender majority of three votes. He announced a more independent foreign policy, attempting to enhance relations with the Soviet Union, USA, Japan and China. He lost a motion of confidence in 1988 with changes in the shifting coalition but returned for a further two-year stint in 1992. He continues to represent the Western Highlands in the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea, although he now represents the provincial-level electorate as opposed to the Hagen constituency.

Related Topics:
Western Highlands province - Jika - University of Papua New Guinea - 1977 - Hagen Open - National Parliament of Papua New Guinea - People's Democratic Movement - Pangu Party - Commonwealth - Michael Somare - Julius Chan - 1987 - Soviet Union - USA - Japan - China

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