Vanuatu’s new government signals change

16 February, 2016

Derek Brien

Commentary

Vanuatu’s new government signals change

Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas is the eleventh prime minister of Vanuatu, having secured the support of 46 of 52 new MPS in the parliamentary vote on Friday. His election signals a new era in Vanuatu politics, with the majority of the 13 member Council of Ministers serving for the first time. After a turbulent few years, many are looking to the new leadership team to drive the reforms necessary to stabilise the political landscape and refocus government on service delivery and development. Reconciliation and unity are the starting blocks, and the new government will need to draw on the depth of talent available across both the front and back benches to tackle the challenges ahead. At the same time, the country will benefit from a focused and strong parliamentary opposition. PiPP executive director, Derek Brien, spoke with Pacific Beat about what the future holds – click on the image below to listen to the interview with ABC’s Richard Ewart.

Photo credit: Dan McGarry / Vanuatu Daily Post

This article was written by

Derek Brien is co-founder and executive director of PiPP. He served as an adviser to the Permanent Mission of Timor-Leste to the United Nations and supported Pacific missions and the g7+ in the intergovernmental negotiations that gave rise to the new Global Goals for sustainable development. Born in Ireland, he grew up in Australia and has called Vanuatu home for the best part of the last decade.

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