Prime Minister Sato Kilman has regained control of the government he previously outwitted the opposition to run on November 19. It follows yet another clever move last week to reshuffle his Agriculture minister Dunstan Hilton—replacing the incumbent with independent Luganville MP, Kalvao Moli. Moli was initially with the opposition.
Kilman defeated the motion by 27 votes to 23 (one abstention)—restoring some confidence in his leadership after the opposition boycotted the first ordered session last Friday.
The result means Kilman can enjoy the upcoming festive season with little to worry about.
But bringing on another independent MP though, means his own party— the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), has had to make the sacrifice by giving up a portfolio in order to keep the government intact. The reshuffle also means all nine parties have just one portfolio each, except for the National United Party (NUP) of Deputy Prime Minister Ham Lini, who also have Lands.
The PPP, Nagriamel (NAG) and the Vanuatu Green Confederation (VGC) also run the office of the speaker, holding the positions of Speaker, First Deputy Speaker and Second Deputy Speaker respectively.
Last week, parliament was ordered to meet by the Supreme Court after the speaker decided the motion of no confidence was ‘not in order’.
Portfolio sharing
PPP – 1 (PM)
NUP- 2 (DPM/Lands)
VRP- 1 (Ni-Van Business)
NAG- 1 (Civil Aviation)
PSP- 1 (Health)
RMC- 1(Finance)
VGC- 1 (Internal Affairs)
Parliament
PPP-Speaker
NAG- First Deputy Speaker
VGC- Second Deputy Speaker
For a full overview of PM Kilman’s government, you can check out the coalition here.
