Vanuatu Parliament extraordinary session on Wednesday. 15 November 2023. Photo: Screenshot/Parliament of Vanuatu
Vanuatu's Parliament is expected to sit in an extraordinary session today to debate various motions of no confidence.
RNZ Pacific correspondent in Port Vila Hilaire Bule said one motion is to remove the 'Ground and Justice Party' MP for Tanna, Andrew Napuat, as the fourth deputy speaker.
The other motion is to have the vice president of the 'Reunification Movement of Change' party for Efate, Jack Norris, removed as the second deputy speaker.
The Office of the Speaker of Parliament said that the motion to lift the suspension of Malekula MP, Gracia Shadrack, is also listed to be debated today.
The only motion of no confidence withdrawn from parliament last week was the one against the prime minister Charlot Salwai following a meeting with the president and other political leaders.
Bule said the problem currently faced by Parliament is the instability among the MPs in the chamber.
"The consultations initiated [President Nikenike] Vurobaravu with the political party leaders in government and the opposition last week in attempt to restore political stability in the country failed," he said.
"A government minister said that Vurobaravu's initiative only succeeded in the opposition to withdraw its motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Charlot Salwai but he hasn't solved the political instability."
He said there were still three different groups in Parliament.
"There are government side with Salwai, the opposition with the leader of the opposition Bob Loughman, and in the middle, the former prime minister and the President of the Union of Moderate Parties, Ishmael Kalsakau."
Last week, a march was organised in Port Vila to protest against the political instability in the country.
One youth representative said young people were affected by the political situation in the country and they wanted more accountability from the political leaders.
