Motion of no confidence

Vanuatu's opposition leader pulls motion of no confidence in PM

The opposition leader told Parliament MPs who were behind the motion changed their mind on Thursday night and he withdrew the motion on Friday morning.

Kalsakau said he knew all along the opposition did not have the required 27 MPs to topple him.

On Friday morning the opposition only had the support of 15 MPs against 36 on the government side.

Loughman alleged the Kalsakau-led government of putting political pressures on state institutions as well as threatening, intimidating and targeting public officials.

Vanuatu Opposition Leader wants PM Loughman to resign

Regenvanu said the majority is now with the Opposition reports the Daily Post.

In Parliament, this morning there were 27 signatories of the motion and former minister of agriculture, Daniel Willie Kao.

Loughman, who was elected in April 2020, is facing a motion of no confidence in his leadership with the Opposition group, claiming to have the support of 29 MPs in the 52 seat parliament.

The first agenda was to re-instate the Member of Parliament for Malekula, Gracia Shadrack so that he can vote for the motion.

Shadrack was suspended last year.

Vanuatu MPs summoned to meet for Extraordinary Session

Six motions including a motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister, election of a new PM and the reinstatement of Gracia Shadrack are to be moved in the extraordinary session.

Other motions include the removal and appointment of the 1st and 2nd Deputy Speaker of Parliament and the election of the 3rd and 4th Deputy Speakers.

Yesterday afternoon, 27 Members of Parliament signed a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Bob Loughman Weibur and called for an extraordinary session of parliament.

Vanuatu Government caucus claims PM Loughman has support

The Government’s Public Relations Officer Fred Vurobaravu said the Government side has 28 MPs and is ready to defeat the motion of confidence against the Prime Minister.

Vurobaravu said 27 members of the Parliament were present today and they re-committed their support to the leadership of Prime Minister Loughman.

He released a photo in an attempt to verify support for the Prime Minister.

According to Vurobaravu, the Opposition does not have the numbers to pass the motion of no confidence.

Vanuatu MP publicly accuses opposition of forgery

A special session of parliament will be called today to hear the motion with the opposition claiming to have the support of 30 of the 52 MPs in parliament.

This is despite several government MPs, whose names appear on the motion, claiming their signatures have been forged.

The MP for Malo/Aore constituency, Uri Warawara, has presented copies of his signature and passport to the Vanuatu Daily Post as proof that they are different from the marks on the motion documents.

Vanuatu Speaker dismisses motion of no confidence

The leader of the opposition Ishmael Kalsakau submitted the motion yesterday morning with signatures from 30 of the 52 MPs in Vanuatu's parliament.

But the speaker Esmon Saimon told the Vanuatu Daily Post last night he declared the motion not in order because the date requested for an extraordinary session of parliament to hear the motion clashed with parliament's schedule.

An opposition spokesperson said they would be challenging the speaker's decision in court.

Vanuatu MPs say signatures on motion of no confidence forged

In a letter to the Speaker of Parliament, the MPs have asked that their names not be considered part of any such motion brought before the house.

The MPs named in the letter are Hon. Christophe Hogtermon Emelee, Hon. Jack Wona, Hon. Tom Noam Iouniwan, Hon. Kalo Pakoasongi Lawo, Hon. Don Ken Stephen and Hon.Jack Norris Kalmet.

The four men, who have crossed the floor to join the government, said they believe their signatures had been forged from previous no confidence motions.

Vanuatu opposition MP plays down motion talk

Ishmael Kalsakau told the Daily Post the opposition has a total of sixteen MPs, following the defection of the Leaders Party from the coalition government amid a cabinet reshuffle.

However, Mr Salwai still holds a clear majority in the 52-seat parliament.

Mr Kalsakau again responded to reports of an imminent motion by saying the opposition would only table one when it has the numbers to pass it.

Last week, Mr Kalsakau told RNZ Pacific he was working to develop a perfect team.

No confidence motion filed in Vanuatu

Officials at the Speaker's office confirmed the motion had the required nine signatures and that if ruled in order would be debated on Tuesday June 19.

All of the signatories are opposition MPs.

In December last year Mr Salwai defeated a motion of no-confidence lodged against him by 37 votes to 13.

     

Vanuatu Opposition’s motion of no confidence ready for Tuesday

The Office of Speaker has also confirmed that 9 opposition MPs signed the motion and it was deposited by the MP for Efate constituency, Joshua Kalsakau.

The mover of the motion is the leader of the opposition, Ishmael Kalsakau and seconded by his deputy, Fred Tasso from Paama constituency.

The reasons of the motion:

1. The signing of PACER PLUS against the will of backbenchers and the members of parliament including the private sector of Vanuatu.

2. The possible introduction of Income Tax