Alleged motion to remove Vanuatu President, PM Salwai commands majority

A motion to remove the Vanuatu President Niknike Vurobaravu, has been filed by the opposition group in Parliament.

Sources informed Daily Post that the motion was officially submitted on 07 November, following the adjournment of the parliamentary session.

The motion, which is yet to be registered, has already gained the support of 19 Members of Parliament (MPs).

According to Article 36 (2) of the Constitution, the process for removing a President involves the introduction of a motion by at least one-third of the members of the electoral college, which must be passed by a two-thirds majority.

Additionally, the presence of at least three-fourths of the electoral college members, as well as three-fourths of the chairmen of Local Government Councils, are required for the motion to proceed.

While the specific reasons for the motion are not yet clear, sources suggest that this could be a political maneuver to delay parliamentary proceedings.

Daily Post was told that the opposition’s aim may be to buy more time, especially as the motion, if deemed valid, must wait for a two-week period before it can be debated, as stipulated by the Constitution.

Political analysts speculate that the opposition may have acted swiftly in filing the motion to counter the possibility of the government withdrawing key bills and closing the ordinary session prematurely.

This motion could thus serve as a strategic move to keep the current parliamentary session in play.

At this stage, it remains uncertain whether the motion will proceed to a full debate, but the political implications are being closely watched.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister Charlot Salwai’s coalition government now commands the support of 33 out of 52 Members of Parliament (MPs), solidifying his leadership and ensuring stability as he moves into the second year of his tenure.

This backing was confirmed during a government caucus held last week at the Prime Minister’s Office, following the adjournment of Parliament.

The coalition includes several key political parties: Leaders Party of Vanuatu (LPV), Graon mo Jastis Pati (GJP), Vanua’aku Pati (VP), and the Reunification of Movements for Change (RMC).

These parties have reiterated their pledge to work together, supporting Salwai’s administration and its governance goals.

At the caucus meeting, MPs reviewed a total of 28 government bills, reflecting the government’s proactive approach to advancing legislative priorities.

With a commanding majority, Salwai is well-positioned to ensure the passage of key legislation in the remaining period of his term.

As the government prepares for Parliament sitting on Tuesday this week, Salwai’s strong parliamentary majority provides him with the leverage needed to navigate any potential challenges.

In Vanuatu’s parliamentary system, the opposition can file a motion of no confidence with just nine signatures, but given Salwai’s commanding position, the likelihood of such a motion succeeding remains low.