Vanuatu PM Ishmael Kalsakau announcing the state of emergency. Photo: VTBC
The opposition in Vanuatu has dramatically failed to oust the Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau in a no-confidence motion.
In the vote in Parliament on Wednesday, the motion was defeated despite the opposition registering 26 votes in favour with the government side having 23 votes.
There was one abstention - from the speaker; one seat is vacant and one is empty due to that MP getting medical treatment overseas.
Vanuatu's constitution states that an absolute majority is needed to oust a prime minister and this has been interpreted by the clerk to mean 27 MPs in the 52-member parliament.
Kalsakau told RNZ Pacific the text on a motion of no confidence is quite clear.
"We have case law as precedent to support the fact that if you were to remove a prime minister, it requires Members of Parliament to comprise 26 plus one being 27 Members of Parliament.
"In total 52 members of parliament. This afternoon there was a vote that was taken. And the opposition side managed to come up with 26 members in favour of the motion and the government voted 23 against it.
"So the ruling was because they didn't arrive at 27, which is the required number, that is the absolute majority of the motion and was defeated."
Kalsakau described the move as a drain on resources.
The opposition argue the decision was undemocratic given they had the support of more members on the day.
The speaker of parliament Seoule Simeon urged the opposition to seek redress in the courts.
However, Kalsakau also needs a majority in the house if he is to be able to pass legislation.
Kalsakau was elected in a snap election last year after a motion of no confidence was successful against the now-opposition leader.
Reasons for moving the motion
Documents sighted by RNZ Pacific's correspondent in Port Vila, Hilaire Bule, show the opposition condemns the government's foreign policy decisions saying it undermines Vanuatu's independence and sovereignty as well as its position as a non-aligned state.
The opposition is also accusing the government of exerting undue influence and political interference in state institutions and of intimidating public administrators.
One issue that has been commented on publicly though is disagreement with the government raising the country's minimum wage by 36 percent from $US1.82 an hour to $US2.48 in June.