1 May 2002

Niue's deputy premier a nominee for post of premier

7:07 pm on 1 May 2002

Negotiations are continuing on Niue to form a government ahead of the opening of parliament on Thursday.

Earlier, the Niue People's Party caucus chose deputy premier, Young Vivian, as its sole nomination for premier-elect.

Mr Vivian, who won the nomination ahead of premier, Sani Lakatani, believes he can muster sufficient MPs out of the 20 member parliament to take the post.

The deputy premier says he doesn't know whether there will be other nominations put to the vote tomorrow but he's hoping to be successful.

"At this point in time yes I think I am confident, but you can never can tell what's going to happen tomorrow, I'll have to wait but I think I will have just enough to be able to take the post, in a small country you know the figures are small and the differences are very small too."

Meanwhile, the seven member Alliance of Independents say they've been negotiating with Toke Talagi, who is also likely to be nominated for premier.

Terry Coe, from the Alliance, says Mr Talagi is keen to have their support.