The speaker of parliament in Vanuatu has ruled a motion of no confidence in the government of Charlot Salwai invalid and closed the second extraordinary session of Parliament in the capital Port Vila this afternoon.
Vanuatu parliament building in the capital Port Vila. Photo: RNZI/ Walter Zweifel
The motion, which was lodged and approved last week, was signed by 31 MPs in the 52-member parliament.
However our correspondent in Vanuatu says today eight MPs withdrew their support for the motion which prompted the speaker to invalidate the motion.
Last week the deputy prime minister Joe Natuman had said he was confident the government would survive the motion.
He said the government had managed to get members of the Union of Moderates Party to join its ranks by swearing in a new health minister and creating new under-secretary positions.
Mr Salwai came to power after the general election in January.