12 Oct 2004

Vanuatu's Parliament to consider curbs on party hopping and votes of no confidence

8:38 pm on 12 October 2004

Vanuatu's Parliament is to meet for two days next week in an extraordinary session to consider the Government's plans for overcoming political instability.

They will consider a constitutional bill, sponsored by the Prime Minister Serge Vohor, aimed at ending the party hopping which has regularly sparked votes of no confidence in the country's governments.

The Vanuatu Daily Post reports the Prime Minister's First Secretary, Emilio Buletare, saying that the amendment would require the MPs to be more accountable when exercising their duties.

The newspaper says if the changes are passed MPs could face expulsion from Parliament.

Another feature of the amendment is it would give a new government a grace period of two years before any vote of no confidence can be held.