Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Jotham
Napat has shut down claims that he could be facing a
leadership challenge through a no-confidence vote at the
next parliamentary sitting in two weeks’ time.
Local
media reported last week, citing politicians speaking on the
condition of anonymity, that a move was being planned behind
the scenes to oust Napat.
However, Napat told the
state boradcaster VBTC on Mnoday that his coalition still
commands that majority and assured Ni-Vanautu people of
government stability.
Vanuatu’s opposition leader
Ishmael Kalsakau has also told RNZ Pacific that “there is no
motion” planned against the prime minister.
Napat, who
was elected
as the country’s new prime minister in February 2025, is
the country’s fifth prime minister in as many years and
leads a coalition government made up of five political
parties.
Napat has already
faced and defeated a no-confidence motion in December
last year.
According to the Vanuatu Daily Post,
no formal motion has been confirmed as lodged with the
Speaker’s Office or the clerk of parliament.
However,
the newspaper said politicians continue lobbying behind the
scenes to secure the numbers to challenge
Napat.
“Currently, the government commands the
majority of members of parliament,” Napat told
VBTC.
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