Vanuatu's deputy prime minister is confident the Government will survive a motion of no confidence set for next Wednesday.
The opposition submitted the motion, bearing the signatures of 31 MPs, to the Speaker of Parliament on Wednesday.
Vanuatu's Prime Minister Charlot Salwai listens to speeches at the 16-nation Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) opening in the Micronesian capital Palikir on September 8, 2016. Photo: AFP
The government managed to get members of the Union of Moderates Party (UMP) to join ranks by swearing in a new Health Minister and creating new under-secretary positions according to deputy prime minister, Joe Natuman.
He said he was confident his government still had the support of a majority of MPs.
"The prime minister managed to secure the numbers through the ministerial reshuffle and now he's very confident that we have the numbers."
"What will happen by the time the motion goes in the opposition probably will withdraw the motion."
Joe Natuman said it was clear there are some grievances within the government bloc, but such motions are not the way to settle them.