Many people believe it is impossible to predict what will happen once the Supreme Court finally addresses matters which led to the end of Sir Michael Somare's reign as prime minister and the emergence of the new government led by ex-Treasurer Peter O'Neill.

The East Sepik provincial government's case against the O'Neill government is scheduled throughout this week and the final hearing expected on Friday.

A source told PNGIndustryNews.net that the actual outcome of the case might be announced in mid to late October.

If the East Sepik provincial government's case fails, the O'Neill government appears likely to remain in place.

However there is plenty of scope to successfully argue that the appointment of O'Neill as prime minister was unconstitutional.

In the event that Somare is reinstated as the rightful prime minister, there will inevitably be a period of swift political manoeuvring.

One possible outcome is that some members of parliament, who defected from the National Alliance party to help form the O'Neill government, could swing back to serve under Somare.

If a split in the fledgling O'Neill-led coalition government does not occur, such a united front could potentially start a no-confidence vote in parliament.

This course of action could lead to an early election.

But scheduled elections are enough of an anxious prospect for many PNG politicians and some MPs might do whatever they can to ensure that an early election is avoided.

Whether MPs might swing back to serve under Somare, at least until the election due in mid-2012, seems quite conceivable in this context.

It is important to also observe that former NA party members who helped form the O'Neill coalition government might have crossed the floor due to their opposition to Sam Abal's leadership as acting prime minister during Somare's absence and could hold fewer reservations about serving under the tried-and-tested leadership of the grand chief.

An unknown factor is the health of Somare.

According to recent reports, the 76-year-old founding father of PNG appears to be recovering well enough to lead but any further possible health complications could start another round of political uncertainty.