Vanuatu's deputy prime minister says his government still has the mandate to push on with proposed constitutional reforms, despite facing a motion of no confidence.
The opposition submitted the motion against the government of Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, bearing the signatures of 31 MPs to the Speaker of Parliament yesterday.
But deputy prime minister Joe Natuman said the government has managed to win back the support of several MPs, and he is confident the government will survive the vote next Wednesday.
Vanuatu Deputy Prime Minister, Joe Natuman. Photo: OFC via Phototek
He said he went to elections in January promising to bring reforms to create stability in Vanuatu politics, and yesterday's motion is an example of why reform is needed.
"Particularly when we are in the process of amending the constitution to make the parliament and government more stable, but we're still having all these political motions of no confidence that are distorting or disrupting the process," Mr Natuman said.
Joe Natuman said the government hopes to start getting constitutional amendments through next year.