3 Apr 2013

Two key votes in Vanuatu when MPs meet today

11:19 am on 3 April 2013

Both sides are claiming a majority as MPs in Vanuatu prepare for two key votes in Parliament today.

The new Moana Carcasses Kalosil government, which came to power late last month, wants to remove the Speaker George Wells, while the Opposition intends a motion for a vote of no confidence in the new administration.

The former minister of agriculture, Kalvau Moli, claims the Opposition has the numbers for a successful no confidence vote.

Mr Moli, who calls the new government a marriage of convenience that won't last, says new ministries it has created are not provided for in the national budget and are therefore illegal.

A spokesperson for the Carcasses coalition, the new Minister of Lands, Ralph Regenvanu, dismisses the claims.

He says it will be plain when Parliament meets that the government has the numbers.

And he says the Government will call an extraordinary session before July this year to amend the budget to properly provide for the new ministries as well other new priorities.

The Government aims to install the Vanuaaku Party MP for the Maewo constituency, Philip Boedoro, as Speaker.