Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Nauru president broadens support following snap election

Posted at 03:24 on 29 April, 2008 UTC

Reports from Nauru say the new government of Marcus Stephen has the support of 12 of the new parliament’s 18 members.

This comes after a weekend snap election which was called by Mr Stephen under a state of emergency to end a deadlock in the assembly.

The three new members who won the seats of opposition members have joined the government ranks.

The parliament has elected as speaker, Riddell Akua, who had resigned a month ago to thwart a vote of no confidence in the government.

The parliament has been adjourned for the president to form his cabinet.

It is expected that the six-minister line-up will remain unchanged, with Dr Kieren Keke continuing as vice-president.