The National Parliament of Vanuatu approved the ninth constitutional amendment in the country’s history on Wednesday, with 49 votes in favour and three abstentions.
The Government currently has the support of 40 Members of Parliament (MPs), following the defection of the MP for Epi Constituency, Seoule Simeon, from the Opposition to the Government side earlier in the day.
Seoule’s move increased the government side from 39 to 40 MPs and reduced the Opposition bloc, led by MP Ishmael Kalsakau, to 12 members.
MP Seoule, who is also the former Deputy Leader of the Opposition, performed a custom ceremony Wednesday to formally align himself with the Vanua’aku Pati (VP).
The outcome of the vote came as no surprise, as some MPs had already made their positions known during debates on the 5th amendment, indicating they would not support certain proposed changes.
Debate largely centred on the amendment introducing a 12-month grace period for a newly elected Prime Minister (PM). Under this provision, no motion of no confidence can be tabled within 12 months of the PM’s election.
PM Jotham Napat, who introduced the amendment, told Parliament that the change serves national interests rather than political expediency.
He acknowledged the existing provisions under Articles 17A and 17B, which he said have already contributed to governmental continuity, but said the 12-month grace period would further support that continuity.
PM Napat also told Parliament that the 12-month provision was initially part of the 8th constitutional amendment but was not tabled at the time.
Leader of the Opposition, MP Ishmael Kalsakau, responded by criticising the PM for allegedly failing to deliver on his promise to implement changes within three months of his election.
He argued that no visible progress has been made and accused the PM of using the grace period to avoid accountability.
MP Kalsakau told Parliament that PM Napat is using the proposed grace period as a cover because he has not delivered on his three-month promises.
PM Napat thanked both sides of the House for their input during the debate and said he would update Parliament on his government’s work over the past two months during the ordinary session starting this morning.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Andrew Napuat, shared his views on the outcome of the vote on the constitutional amendment.
“Today, in my fourth term in Parliament, I have come to witness maturity in the debates, votes, and the fact that Members of Parliament did not vote because of their political affiliations or which side they were sitting on in Parliament,” said Minister Napuat.
“They all came out to express their opinions. They cast their votes in a way that demonstrated maturity in the affairs of the nation.
“The intentions of the amendment, in my view, concern the current state of affairs in this nation. It is high time for leaders to decide whether to make a change or maintain the status quo. Even though many feel that the Constitution is sacred, it is not the Bible. Therefore, we must amend the Constitution to remain relevant and address the rise of different ideologies and actions of people.
“Our forefathers founded this nation and entrusted it to us. Our current leaders and generation have a duty to decide what the future of this nation will look like.
“I wish to quote from the first speech of our first Prime Minister, Fr Walter Lini: ‘We are moving into a period of rapid change rather like a canoe entering a patch of rough waters—God and Custom must be the sail and the steering paddle of our canoe.’
“I am thankful that our national leaders came from all our islands with traditional and cultural roots, and that God Almighty was our guide today in passing this 9th Constitutional Amendment.”
While Parliament passed the 9th Constitutional Amendment, the national referendum on two of the amendments cannot be held this year, as Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Finance Minister Johnny Koanapo confirmed there is no funding allocated for it.
“The implementation will not happen this time. If you think we will conduct the referendum this year, it’s not possible because, technically, there is no budget for it this year,” he said.
DPM Koanapo said it is important to discuss what serves the best interests of citizens and to debate ideas about the proposed changes.
“It is not about keeping PM Napat (in power) or MP Ngwele if he were Prime Minister tomorrow,” he said. “But give him a chance—that is the spirit. If we come and remove someone who is capable just because of our own interests, and we put forward motions that have no substance but are used to create instability…
“And the result—we lose the momentum of our development.”
The Vanuatu Government spent VT350 million(US$2.9 million) to conduct the 2024 national referendum, but the voter turnout was lower than expected. This has prompted the push for compulsory voting…..PACNEWS
