Ishmael Kalsakau, the leader of the Opposition in Vanuatu and President of the Union of Moderate Parties (UMP), expressed his approval of the Court of Appeal’s decision on Wednesday to dismiss Speaker of Parliament Stephen Felix’s appeal against a Supreme Court ruling from the previous week. Kalsakau stated that the Opposition had anticipated this outcome, emphasizing the judiciary’s clarification of an important constitutional matter.
He noted, “There were numerous cases in the past, and this case was no different. We welcome the Appeal Court’s decision for Parliament to sit on Friday to debate the motion against the Prime Minister (PM).” Kalsakau expressed confidence in the numbers supporting their motion.
Deputy Leader of the Opposition, MP Jay Ngwele, echoed Kalsakau’s sentiments, reinforcing the view that “the law is for everyone.”
The Court of Appeal had dismissed Speaker Felix’s appeal concerning a Supreme Court ruling that categorized his actions on November 14, 2025, as unconstitutional. Justice Olivier Saksak made it clear that the Speaker had knowledge of a no-confidence motion against PM Napat, yet in an unconstitutional manner, he closed the Second Ordinary Session of Parliament.
Felix’s lawyer, Garry Blake, argued that proper procedures required the motion to be presented directly to the Speaker, rather than through parliamentary staff. Chief Justice Vincent Lunabek cautioned against amending the interpretation of Article 43(2), which does not specify how motions should be delivered. Meanwhile, the Opposition’s lawyer, Sakiusa Kalsakau, affirmed the Court’s ruling that the Speaker had been adequately informed about the motion, which needed the support of one-sixth of MPs’ signatures.
After more than an hour of deliberation, the Court of Appeal ruled against Speaker Felix’s appeal, instructing Parliament to convene at 9 a.m. on Friday to address the no-confidence motion against PM Napat. As a result, Speaker Felix has officially summoned Parliament to reconvene on Friday, December 19, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.
This development underscores the functioning of Vanuatu’s democratic processes, showcasing the resilience of parliamentary governance and judicial oversight in the Pacific nation. The upcoming parliamentary session presents an opportunity for constructive dialogue and potential changes in leadership, as the Opposition seeks to hold the government accountable.
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