Vanuatu's new government has consolidated its position with the election of its candidate Marcellino Pipite as parliament speaker, replacing Philip Boedoro.
Photo: RNZ / Walter Zweifel
Unconfirmed reports from Port Vila say the Speaker's first action was to rule out the planned no-confidence motion against the new government by opposition leader Edward Natapei on a technicality.
It is also understood that the opposition vacated parliament before government could put forward a motion to suspend former Prime Minister Joe Natuman and his deputy Ham Lini.
Mr Natuman's government was removed last week when the then opposition moved a successful motion of no-confidence against him.
A slim majority of MPs then elected Sato Kilman as prime minister.
Following today' s election of Marcellino Pepite, the opposition says it may push to overturn the speaker's decision and have the no-confidence motion heard on Thursday