15 Dec 2016

Vanuatu MPs to consider no confidence motion

2:08 pm on 15 December 2016

The Vanuatu parliament is expected to debate a motion of no confidence in the government of Charlot Salwai this afternoon.

Vanuatu's Prime Minister Charlot Salwai listens to speeches at the 16-nation Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) opening in the Micronesian capital Palikir on September 8, 2016.

Vanuatu's Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Photo: AFP

The opposition deposited the motion with the Speaker a week ago.

A spokesman for the prime minister, Hilaire Bule, says they have been assured that the 34 government members continue to back Mr Salwai.

If that is the case the opposition would have the support of just 18 MPs, but would need 27 to effect a change of government.

This is the second attempt in a matter of weeks to try and remove Mr Salwai whose government is promising constitutional reforms to try and limit the de-stabilising effects of no confidence motions.

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