Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Photo: RNZ Pacific / Hilaire Bule
A total of 29 MPs signed and lodged a motion of no confidence in Prime Minister Charlot Salwai on Tuesday, marking a month and one day since he assumed the role as Vanuatu's 27th PM.
This no confidence motion has been registered and is scheduled for debate in an extraordinary parliamentary session next Tuesday, carrying 28 signatories calling for this extraordinary session.
If the motion passes, Vanuatu could have its third prime minister within three months, as the country still tries to recover from devastating cyclones Kelvin and Judy earlier this year and cycclone Lola two weeks ago.
Vanuatu's Climate Change Minister Ralph Regenvanu, who is in Rarotonga attending the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, told RNZ Pacific that "there's never any good reason for a [no confidence] motion. It's just people going forward for power".
The mover of the motion is the deputy leader of the opposition and MP for the Luganville Constituency, Marc Ati. It was seconded by Port Vila MP, Ulrich Sumptoh.
The motion presents four substantial grounds justifying the removal of Salwai.
The signatories of the motion includes MPs from various parties including their presidents for Vanua'aku Pati (VP), Rural Development Party (RDP), National United Party (NUP), People's Progressive Party (PPP), Iauko Group (IG), and Union of Moderation Parties (UMP).
During the 2nd Ordinary Session held on Tuesday, the President of UMP, MP Ishmael Kalsakau, and fellow UMP members who are also signatories of the motion, occupied the seats at the centre within the parliamentary chamber.
All bills listed for discussion during the 2nd Ordinary Session were withdrawn by the Leader of Government Business, MP Jotham Napat, as the government lacked the necessary support to pass these bills. Among the withdrawn bills was the Appropriation Bill for the year 2023.
Speaker of Parliament Seoule Simeon closed the Second Ordinary Session without achieving the passage of the 2024 Budget.
Ati emphasised the opposition is taking swift action to present this motion, intending to convene a new government promptly for addressing the country's urgent needs including discussions on the 2024 budget.
Photo: RNZ/Sally Round
- Vanuatu Daily Post
