The speaker of Vanuatu's parliament has declared the seats of the prime minister, the deputy prime minister and 16 other government MPs vacant.
The government had filed a motion to have the speaker removed; a feud which saw the MPs and prime minister Bob Loughman boycott parliament for three days last week.
Gracia Shadrack argued their absence for consecutive sitting days meant their seats were now vacant.
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Vanuatu government MPs close ranks after the speaker moves to suspend 18 of their MPs, including the prime minister and deputy prime minister. 8 June 2021 Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Hilaire Bule