3 Dec 2004

Vanuatu Opposition seeks a Supreme Court ruling on a blocked confidence vote

2:15 pm on 3 December 2004

The Vanuatu Opposition hopes Parliament will be recalled later today to consider a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister Serge Vohor.

An attempt at a vote yesterday didn't proceed after the Speaker ruled that it was not possible because of the new constitutional changes giving a grace period of one year either side of an election.

But the Opposition believes the law change is not yet gazetted and is seeking a Supreme Court ruling today.

The latest developments come amid a massive swing of support to the Opposition with 16 members of the Government, including six senior Ministers, crossing the floor yesterday.

Transparency International says it had expected the grace period matter to first be put to a public referendum before becoming law.