Vanuatu's embattled government has appealed a Supreme Court ruling upholding a parliamentary speaker's decision to declare 19 MPs' seats vacant.
Last month's declaration, affecting prime minister Bob Loughman and 18 members of his coalition, was challenged in the court where Justice Oliver Saksak deferred to the former speaker's ruling.
However deputy prime minister Ishmael Kalsakau said the government believes the judge misdirected himself with his interpretation of article 54 of the constitution.
Vanuatu deputy prime minister Ishmael Kalsakau (centre) Photo: RNZ Pacific/Hilaire Bule
Mr Kalsakau said the government argue there's only one institution that has jurisdiction to determine whether or not a member of parliament has vacated their seat and that is the Supreme Court.
"We're all driven by emotions but let's let the Court of Appeal resolve the questions to the satisfaction of everyone involved. The coalition remains high spirited," he said.
Meanwhile, the court has found the government appeal application insufficient, and gave it another 24 hours to file again.
