2007 Micronesian presidential election

[1][2] Incumbent President Joseph Urusemal was defeated for re-election by challenger Manny Mori at the opening session of the newly elected 15th Congress of Micronesia.

[5] The Federated States of Micronesia is governed by the 1979 constitution, which guarantees fundamental human rights and establishes a separation of governmental powers.

He also became Micronesia's ambassador in the United Nations, where he was a key player in the establishment of diplomatic and relations with multiple countries and global organizations.

After two years of working for the Chuuk state government, Mori was hired as the comptroller of the Micronesia Development Bank.

In 2003, Mori took a break from politics and became the general manager and chief executive officer for the Chuuk Public Utilities Corporation.

Under his management, the corporation successfully executed progressive reform measures that include the restoration of 24-hour electricity to Weno, the capital island of Chuuk State.

As the ambassador to Fiji, Alik was also associated to Israel, Tonga, Nauru, Kiribati, Samoa, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

In 2003, Senator Alik joined electoral politics and won the State of Kosrae congressional seat and was also elected to be the chairman of the committee on Resource and Development.

[14] Joseph Urusemal received his Bachelor of Arts degree in administration of justice in 1976 and went to work for the Jackson County Department of Correction.

Upon his arrival to Micronesia, he worked with the State Department of Education as a teacher and counselor at the Outer Islands High School.

He was also a member on the following standing committees: Health, Education, and Social Affairs; Resources and Development; Transportation and Communication; and Judiciary and Governmental Operations.

During his tenure in Congress, Urusemal also served as the secretary general for the National Group to the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarians' Union.

There are no public records in regards to the vote distribution; however, Jack Corbett of the University of Southampton speculates that Mori won the presidency owing to his experience in business.

Being a small nation, Micronesia has a great desire to be more involved with the global marketplace and wanted a leader with experience in that area to drive them forward.