Vanuatu's parliament in Port Vila. 22 June 2023. Photo: BEN BOHANE
The Speaker of Parliament in Vanuatu has accepted two motions one seeking to remove the President and the other the Prime Minister of the republic.
Vanuatu is plagued by political instability with four prime ministers elected and removed in the past four years through motions of no confidence and a snap election called in 2022 after a dissolution of parliament.
A statement from the Office of the Speaker of Parliament dated 12 November 2024 that was posted on the official Vanuatu Parliament Facebook Page on Friday 15 November 2024. Photo: Vanuatu Parliament
A statement from the Speaker's office confirmed the motion of no confidence in the prime minister Charlot Salwai was received on Tuesday 12 November.
The one calling for the removal of president Nikenike Vurobaravu was received last week on Thursday 7 November.
The Speaker's office said support for both motions met constitutional requirements and they will be heard within the prescribed notice period period which expires on the Tuesday 19 November for the motion against the prime minister and Thursday 21 November for the motion against the president.
On his way into a meeting this afternoon the Speaker, Seoule Simeon, told RNZ Pacific they were yet to clarify some details.
"I will meet with the electoral office in order to make sure they can proceed with the summons of the electoral college or not and we will advise it later," Seoule Simeon.
A spokesperson from the prime minister's office this week put out a statement calling the move from the opposition childish.
Both the opposition and government claim to have the majority support in parliament.
Charlot Salwai claims 33 out of the 52 members of parliament and the opposition say they have an absolute majority supporting their no-confidence motion.
Local media reports a dissolution of parliament could also be on the cards.
