Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat has strongly defended the constitutional amendments 17A and 17B, saying they represent the democratic will of the people following Vanuatu’s first-ever national referendum.
Prime Minister Napat described opposition challenges to the reforms as “a calculated attempt to return to the chaos of revolving-door governments that have plagued our nation for decades.”
From a statement it states that the amendments, approved by nearly 60 percent of voters in May 2024, were introduced to bring an end to years of political instability — a period that saw four different prime ministers between 2022 and 2023, and 20 leadership changes from 1991 to 2017.
“We find it deeply ironic that those now challenging this process claim to be preserving democracy,” PM Napat said.
“The people have already spoken clearly, and the government is respecting that mandate.”
The Prime Minister reminded the public that Parliament had voted unanimously — 47 to 0 — in December 2023 to endorse the reforms before the referendum.
He added that the government invested VT350 million (US$2.86 million) in a nationwide awareness campaign that reached 98 percent of citizens, including overseas Ni-Vanuatu communities.
The referendum process was monitored by over 75 international and domestic observers, including representatives from the Pacific Islands Forum, Melanesian Spearhead Group, and diplomatic missions from Australia, New Zealand, France, and the United Kingdom.
PM Napat said the Supreme Court had also validated the government’s compliance with constitutional requirements just days before voting began.
He pointed to strong grassroots support, including a citizen petition signed by over 1,800 people calling for greater political stability.
“Our people were crying out for change,” he said. “Political instability has delayed development, discouraged investors, and even contributed to the collapse of Air Vanuatu. The time for political games is over.”
The Prime Minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to fully implementing the reforms while strengthening governance, political party systems, and accountability across all levels.
“We will not allow Vanuatu to return to the chaos that has held our nation back for over 30 years,” he concluded. “The people have spoken, and this Government will honour their decision,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Opposition bloc will challenge Article 17 of the Constitution, passed through a national referendum , will be in court this week.
Opposition Members of Parliament argue that the article restricts their democratic rights as elected representatives of the people.
In an interview with VBTC News, Opposition Leader Ishmael Kalsakau said the Opposition believes Article 17 contradicts Article 27 of the Constitution, which protects MPs’ independence and grants them freedom to express opinions and vote according to their constituents’ interests, not their political parties.
“There is an argument that maybe Article 17 applies outside, but when you enter the Parliament House, the chamber is the door of democracy. Article 17 stays outside. Once you enter that door, Article 27 applies, which states that no member of Parliament can be proceeded against for opinions raised in the exercise of their duties,” Kalsakau explained.
He said Article 27 exists to protect MPs’ responsibilities to make decisions in the interest of the people who elected them — not their political parties.
“There is a reason why Article 27 protects this place,” he said.
“Yes, political parties may nominate candidates, but once a member of Parliament is elected by the people, their duty is to speak and act for them. Inside Parliament, the member represents their constituents, and no political party should interfere with that right,” he said.
