A motion of no confidence aimed at Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat was rejected on Friday, following a parliamentary vote that saw 36 members oppose the motion and 12 in favor. This decisive outcome followed a ruling from the Vanuatu Court of Appeal that declared the Speaker’s initial decision to bar the opposition’s motion unconstitutional, prompting MPs to convene after their recess.
Opposition leader Ishmael Kalsakau presented the motion in parliament, but later withdrew a separate motion of no confidence against the Speaker when it became clear that it lacked sufficient support. Notably, three MPs from the government coalition were absent during the vote.
With the motion defeated, the parliament has adjourned until January 26, 2026. This turn of events suggests that the current coalition government is poised to fulfill its four-year term, a sentiment echoed by political analysts. They noted that the same parties, including the Vanua’aku Party (VP), Leaders Party of Vanuatu (LPV), Graon mo Jastis Pati (GJP), and Reunification Movement for Change (RMC), play a critical role in the stability of Napat’s government.
Analysts remarked that the solidarity among the LPV, GJP, and RMC is instrumental in Napat’s prospects to complete his term. These parties previously contributed to political shifts during Charlot Salwai’s term as prime minister from 2016 to 2020. They recalled that during Salwai’s government, multiple motions of no confidence failed, largely due to the strength of their coalition.
Political observers suggested that the current political landscape may resemble that of Salwai’s era but with key differences, primarily stemming from the absence of Salwai himself as Prime Minister. Kalsakau, who previously led the opposition during Salwai’s administration, continues to lead in the current legislature but has struggled to consolidate the necessary support to challenge Napat’s leadership.
The assurance of government stability also highlights the successful collaboration among coalition members, which has strengthened with legislative support. The inclusion of the Iauko Group (IG) in Napat’s government, with its larger parliamentary representation compared to the preceding administration, has reinforced this stability.
While serious allegations, such as the illegal sale of diplomatic passports, were cited as motivation for the no-confidence motion, the overall implication remains one of stability in governance. Analysts remain optimistic that as long as the key coalition parties maintain trust and collaboration, Prime Minister Napat will likely continue to lead, paving the way for a period of relative political stability in Vanuatu.
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