PNG parliament elects James Marape as new PM

James Marape has been elected as the new prime minister of Papua New Guinea (PNG) on Thursday, ending weeks of political turmoil.

This handout photo taken on July 16, 2017 and received from the Office of the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea shows Petrus Thomas (L), new member for Koroba-Kopiago Open, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill (C) and Finance Minister James Marape (R) being welcomed as O'Neill returns to Port Moresby. [File photo: Office of the Prime Minister Papua New Guinea/AFP/Christopher Hawkins]

With the formal resignation of Peter O'Neill as leader on Wednesday after a series of high-profile defections from his party over recent weeks, all 111 members of the nation's parliament took the house floor on Thursday morning to choose a new leader.

The official vote tally was declared 101 to eight for Marape. He is due to speak at a media conference later in the day.

One of the most senior figures in PNG politics, Marape hails from the highland region of Hela Province and previously served as finance minister under O'Neill, before resigning in April.

He was the first senior cabinet minister in O'Neill-led government to resign from office, which then sparked a chain of other members to move to the opposition block.

With heavy pressure mounting on O'Neill's leadership and a vote of no confidence motion pending, the embattled statesman was forced to resign, leaving the door open for a new prime minister.