New Papua New Guinea leader a wildcard in Pacific power play

James Marape is seen at Government House after arriving to be sworn in as the new prime minister in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, May 30, 2019. Picture taken May 30, 2019. Papua New Guinea Prime Minister's Office/Handout via REUTERS

SYDNEY (Reuters) - When Papua New Guinea's lawmakers started to shift their weight in their parliamentary seats in preparation for a tense vote on a new prime minister on Thursday, James Marape looked uninterested, his head lowered, fingers tapping his phone.

The former finance minister later explained he was preparing notes for a speech, should numbers fall his way.