24 Jul 2014

Vanua'aku Pati to reconcile with Sope

2:17 pm on 24 July 2014

Vanuatu's largest and oldest political party, the Vanua'aku Pati, continues to reconcile with other national parties.

The VP has recently undertaken a number of reconciliations with other parties in Vanuatu's fragmented parliament, including the People's Progressive Party and the National United Party.

The VP President, the former Prime Minister Edward Natapei, says the next reconciliation, with the Melanesian Progressive Party led by Barak Sope, is planned for August the 17th in Port Vila.

"The reason for that is the seventeenth of August is the anniversary of the change of name from the National Party to the Vanua'aku Pati, and Barak Sope was one of the members of the party at that time (at the gaining of independence in 1980)."

Former Vanuatu Prime Minister Barak Sope

Former Vanuatu Prime Minister Barak Sope Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades

Edward Natapei says the Vanua'aku Pati will discuss the reconciliations next month at its congress when it considers a possible change of party name among other things.