Vanuatu Parliament extraordinary session on Wednesday. 15 November 2023. Photo: Screenshot/Parliament of Vanuatu
A dissolution of parliament has been avoided in Vanuatu after a meeting between the President Nikenike Vurobaravu and political leaders on Monday morning.
The country was on the verge of going down the path of holding another snap election, just over a year since the last snap elections in October 2022, with its people and economy still reeling from the impacts of multiple cyclones this year.
The opposition group, which has the majority support of MPs in parliament has just (4.20pm NZ Time) withdrawn its motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Charlot Salwai - who has been in power for under just over a month - and his minority government.
Parliament has been suspended (at 4.24pm NZ Time) for MPs on both sides of the House to discuss how they will proceed with passing a number important government bills, including the 2024 Budget.
Vanuatu State House has confirmed to RNZ Pacific that President Vurobaravu earlier today agreed not to proceed with a dissolution of parliament if the political leaders could find a way to resolve their differences.
This unprecedented chain of events is occurring against the backdrop of crippling political instability that has seen four Vanuatu prime ministers come and go in the space of three years.