The Vanuatu prime minister Joe Natuman says he sacked two ministers yesterday to stabilise support for the government.
Vanuatu's Prime Minister, Joe Natuman, speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony of a road project in Tanna, Vanuatu. Photo: Supplied
The Natuman-led coalition appears to now have a majority of 28 MPs in the 52-seat house.
The ministerial sackings came amid opposition plans to lodge a motion of no confidence against Mr Natuman.
Two new minister have been appointed - Kalvau Moli replaces Sato Kilman as minister of foreign affairs, and Hosea Nevu replaces Alfred Carlot as justice minister.
Mr Natuman says he now has a stable government.
"I'm quite confident that the government continues to have numbers to be able to operate during the ordinary session next week. That will probably bring the government numbers up to 28 or 29, which is more than a simple majority who has to deal with government bills in parliament next week."
Meanwhile, 19 opposition MPs are to face bribery charges this month over police claims regarding opposition leader Moana Carcasses and his attempts to lobby support to topple the prime minister, stemming from late last year.
Mr Carcasses was the prime minister of Vanuatu until he was replaced by Joe Natuman following a motion of no confidence a year ago.
