'Critical motions': Leadership challenges loom in Vanuatu

The Speaker of Parliament in Vanuatu has accepted two motions one seeking to remove the president and the prime minister of the republic.

Vanuatu is plagued by political instability, with four prime ministers elected and removed in the past four years through motions of no confidence, and a snap election called in 2022 after a dissolution of parliament.

A statement from the Speaker's office confirmed the motion of no confidence in the prime minister Charlot Salwai was received on Tuesday 12 November.

The motion calling for the removal of President Nikenike Vurobaravu was received last week on Thursday, 7 November.

The Speaker's office said that support for both motions met constitutional requirements and they will be heard within the prescribed notice period period.

The motion against the Prime Minister Charlot Salwai expires on Tuesday, 19 November, while the motion against the Vurobaravu expires on Thursday, 21 November.

On his way into a meeting this afternoon the Speaker Seoule Simeon told RNZ Pacific they were yet to clarify some details.

"I will meet with the electoral office in order to make sure they can proceed with the summons of the electoral college or not and we will advise it later," Simeon said.

A spokesperson from the Prime Minister's Office this week put out a statement calling the move from the opposition "childish".

Both the opposition and government claim to have the majority support in parliament.

Salwai claims 33 out of the 52 members of parliament, and the opposition say they have an absolute majority supporting their no confidence motion.

Local media report a dissolution of parliament could also be on the cards.