The Vanuatu government still has the support of the majority of MPs according to a statement on the government website.
The opposition leader Ishmael Kalsakau lodged a motion of no confidence in the prime minister Charlot Salwai on Tuesday citing concerns about corruption and incompetence.
Prime Minister of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai Photo: Supplied
The government statement said as Mr Kalsakau deposited his motion, a meeting of the government side showed it still commanded a majority in the 52 seat parliament.
The statement said over the last three weeks the opposition had tried unsuccessfully to get government MPs to switch sides and mentioned allegations a government MP had even been lured with an air ticket.
"Some of the government MPs said that they have received phone calls from the opposition to sign the motion and in return, they will be allocated ministries," said the statement.