Vanuatu's parliament has elected a new prime minister, Bob Loughman.
He defeated Ralph Regenvanu in a ballot in parliament this afternoon, with 31 votes to 21.
Vanuatu's newly elected prime minister Bob Loughman. April 2020 Photo: VBTC Livestream
Bob Loughman, a member of the Vanua'aku Pati, has been a member of parliament for Tanna since 2004.
He was nominated as a candidate by Ishmael Kalsakau, who has led the opposition bloc for the past four years.
In a twist, the previous prime minister, Charlot Salwai, put forward the Port Vila MP Ralph Regenvanu to take him on.
Mr Regenvanu leads the Graon mo Jastis Pati, which won the most seats in last month's election.
Mr Loughman has a daunting task ahead: swathes of the country lie in ruins after Cyclone Harold, while he also has to keep out a pandemic that has already shattered the fragile economy.