Marie Louis Paulette Milne has made history by securing a seat in Vanuatu’s 52-member parliament, becoming one of only seven women elected among 216 candidates in the recent election. Milne garnered 1,227 votes, edging out her closest competitor, Tony George Yasyas Ailir, who received 1,197 votes, for the final position in the Port Vila Constituency.
A former Deputy Mayor of Port Vila, Milne resigned from her municipal role to run for parliament. As the only representative of the Green Confederation Party, she ran under the same political banner as her husband, Moana Kalosil, a former Prime Minister of Vanuatu who contested the Efate Rural Constituency but did not secure a seat, polling just 950 votes.
Milne’s election reflects the stagnation in female representation within Vanuatu’s parliamentary structure, as she replaces Gloria Julia King, the previous sole woman MP who lost her seat in the Efate Rural Constituency. Following the election results announced by the Vanuatu Electoral Commission, the male-to-female ratio in the parliament remains unchanged.
This election has also highlighted a strikingly high voter turnout of 69%—a significant increase compared to the 44% in the 2022 Snap Election—indicating a growing civic engagement among voters. Out of the 216 candidates, only seven were women, prompting ongoing discussions about the barriers to female political participation in the country.
While 25 political parties registered for the election, only 23 participated, with 12 ultimately securing seats in the parliament. Notably, in recent years, the Vanuatu government has introduced constitutional amendments that aim to stabilize political affiliations, requiring independent candidates and smaller parties to align with larger political organizations—a move designed to mitigate political instability.
Overall, Milne’s success is a beacon of hope for increased female representation in Vanuatu’s politics, demonstrating that change can occur, even in traditionally male-dominated spheres. As Vanuatu embarks on this new political chapter, the focus shifts to how these legislative dynamics can evolve to better include women and ensure their voices are heard in government.
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