Tusi Tala
Leaders from five political parties in Vanuatu have reached an agreement to establish the upcoming coalition government. The parties involved are the Leaders Party, Vanua’aku Party, Graon Mo Jastis Party, Reunification Movement for Change, and the Iauko Group.
This week, the leaders signed a memorandum of agreement in Port Vila. Although official results from the recent snap election, preliminary outcomes indicate that this coalition holds a sufficient number of seats to govern. They collectively have over 30 seats, surpassing the 27 required for a majority in the 52-seat parliament.
Consequently, the next prime minister of Vanuatu is likely to be one of the five party leaders: Jotham Napat (Leaders Party), Johnny Koanapo (Vanua’aku Party), Charlot Salwai (Reunification Movement for Change), Ralph Regenvanu (Graon Mo Jastis Party), or Marc Ati (Iauko Group).
In the snap elections held on January 16, more than 180,000 Ni-Vanuatu voters participated, just a month following the devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake that affected the capital, Port Vila.
