Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Jotham Napat has shut down claims that he could be facing a leadership challenge through a no-confidence vote at the next parliamentary sitting in two weeks’ time.
Local media reported last week, citing politicians speaking on the condition of anonymity, that a move was being planned behind the scenes to oust Napat.
However, Napat told the state broadcaster VBTC on Monday that his coalition still commands that majority and assured Ni-Vanuatu people of government stability.
Vanuatu’s opposition leader Ishmael Kalsakau has also told RNZ Pacific that “there is no motion” planned against the prime minister.
Napat, who was elected as the country’s new prime minister in February 2025, is the country’s fifth prime minister in as many years and leads a coalition government made up of five political parties.
Napat has already faced and defeated a no-confidence motion in December last year.
According to the Vanuatu Daily Post, no formal motion has been confirmed as lodged with the Speaker’s Office or the clerk of parliament.
However, the newspaper said politicians continue lobbying behind the scenes to secure the numbers to challenge Napat.
“Currently, the government commands the majority of members of parliament,” Napat told VBTC….PACNEWS