Vanuatu's parliamentary speaker , Maxime Carlot Korman, ruled that the government motion to remove him this afternoon is not in order.
The surprising decision means parliament will not debate the motion and Mr Carlot Korman will remain as speaker.
If the government insists on forcing him to vacate his position, they must file an order motion against him or submit a constitutional application to the supreme court to quash today's ruling.
This latest move comes amid a political stand-off which has included the speaker's unsuccessful attempt to remove the prime minister, Edward Natapei, after Mr Natapei tried to remove him as part of a comprehensive cabinet reshuffle.
Parliament is this week also due to vote on a no confidence motion in the prime minister.
