The Speaker of Parliament in Vanuatu has dismissed a motion of no confidence against prime minister Charlot Salwai.
The Vanuatu government bench sported 31 MPs when the bell sounded for the parliament sitting this morning. 23 November 2018 Photo: Hilaire Bule/ Vanuatu Government
The leader of the opposition Ishmael Kalsakau submitted the motion yesterday morning with signatures from 30 of the 52 MPs in Vanuatu's parliament.
But the speaker Esmon Saimon told the Vanuatu Daily Post last night he declared the motion not in order because the date requested for an extraordinary session of parliament to hear the motion clashed with parliament's schedule.
An opposition spokesperson said they would be challenging the speaker's decision in court.
Meanwhile government media is reporting that the opposition boycotted this morning's parliament sitting forcing the speaker to suspend the sitting until Monday next week.
It said 33 MPs attended in support of the government.
The Vanuatu opposition boycotted parliament this morning forcing the speaker to suspend the sitting until Monday next week. 23 November 2018. Photo: Hilaire Bule/ Vanuatu Government