Vanuatu's newly-elected MPs have chosen George Wells to be the Speaker of Parliament.
Mr Wells defeated the only other nominee, Tony Wright of the Union of Moderates, by 29 votes to 23.
The country's tenth parliament began sitting this morning, with MPs voting first for Speaker before voting for Prime Minister this afternoon.
Mr Wells is from the People's Progress Party of the caretaker Prime Minister Sato Kilman and his election indicates Mr Kilman is likely to be re-elected.
The Minister of Internal Affairs towards the end of the last government, Mr Wells was previously the Speaker in 2010.
