Coalition parties remain solid prior to Vanuatu Parliament’s first sitting

The five political parties sign agreement to form the next government. 27 January 2025 (Photo: Facebook / YTS News)

The alliance of five political parties that signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to form the next Vanuatu government remains solid, with more than 30 Members of Parliament (MPs)-elect on their side. 

A source inside the coalition said the amendments to the Constitution, specifically 17A and 17B, which aim to prevent lawmakers from switching sides too easily, ensure more stability within the political system. These provisions curb “party hopping,” which leads to unstable or fractured governments. 

The requirement for independent MPs and political movements to confirm their affiliation to the Speaker of Parliament within three months is a way to enforce transparency and accountability, ensuring the political landscape stays clear and organised. 

He said political negotiations are in full swing now that the official election results are in. 

“When parties form a coalition, there is usually a lot of bargaining over key positions like ministers, deputy ministers, and other influential roles in the government. This kind of negotiation can take time, especially as different parties try to ensure that their interests are represented in the next government,” the source said. 

Now that the Parliament Clerk has summoned all 52 MPs-elect for the first sitting of Parliament for the 14th Legislature and to elect the Speaker and Prime Minister (PM) on 11February, the lineup to form the next government will become clearer in the final days before the sitting. 

11 February is set to be a critical day for the political scene. It’s a high-stakes moment, and the final lineup for the next government should become much clearer in the days leading up to the sitting. 

These final days of negotiation will likely be intense, with party leaders and MPs trying to finalise their positions and solidify their alliances. 

With over 30 MPs-elect on their side, the alliance appears to have a solid majority for both the Speaker and PM votes, giving them a good advantage in securing the leadership positions. Since a simple majority of 27 votes out of 52 is required, they seem comfortably positioned to win both elections, barring any unexpected defections or shifts in support in the final moments. 

Given that the alliance is solid, it looks like the focus will now shift to finalising the details of who will fill those key roles and how the power-sharing arrangements within the government will play out.