Ralph Regenvanu

The government is hoping to debate and pass 16 amendments…including expanding the definition of citizenship, extending the life of parliament from four to five years, allowing dual citizens to hold public office, and establishing four new ministries, among others.

Opposition leader Ralph Regenvanu said prime minister Bob Loughman's proposals are "irresponsible" and is being done in "bad faith."

Mr Regenvanu said his side is objecting to five out of the 16 proposed changes, with major concerns over the plan to increase the number of government ministries from 13 to 17.

His call comes after Nauru, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia decided to initiate the formal process of withdrawing from the Forum.

The leaders of these countries said that by overlooking Micronesia's candidate in the appointment of a new Forum secretary general, South Pacific countries dishonoured a "gentleman's agreement" to rotate the post evenly among sub-regions.

Regenvanu, an experienced leader in the Foreign Affairs portfolio, said he understood Micronesia's frustration.

Police are currently investigating an allegedly unlawful contract issued by the Minister of Public Utilities, Jay Ngwele.

Regenvanu asked the acting police commissioner to explain why his staff were reportedly working with private investigators who were close friends of Ngwele.

Regenvanu claimed the investigations were "biased".

He also queried aspects of the investigation into the alleged contract which concerned the tarsealing of a road in Paray area in the captial of Port Vila.

According to our correspondent in Vanuatu, Mr Regenvanu was nominated in a meeting on Wednesday by the 22 MPs in the opposition bloc.

Former prime minister Charlot Salwai has been chosen to be his deputy.

Mr Salwai nominated Mr Regenvanu as the opposition's candidate for prime minister in parliament on Monday.

He lost to the newly elected prime minister and president of the Vanuaku Party, Bob Loughman 31 votes to 21.

Regenvanu's Graon mo Jastis party is one of 11 political groups including 36 MPs, which have signed a Memorandum of Agreement to form a new coalition.

It came after days of closed door negotiations and also features the Vanuaaku Party, led by former Prime Minister Joe Natuman and the party of the jailed former PM, Moana Carcasses Kalosil, the Vanuatu Green Confederation.

Regenvanu says the agreement wasn't hard to reach, but whether the coalition holds together even for the next week before Parliament sits, is another matter entirely