Vanuatu's oldest political party has emerged from its annual congress upbeat about its future representing younger generations of ni-Vanuatu.
The Vanua'aku Pati held its congress at Hog Harbour in Santo, a location of importance to the country's history around the time Vanuatu gained independence in 1980 under the leadership of the party.
Party president and deputy prime minister Joe Natuman. Photo: RNZI / Kim Baker-Wilson
The party's president, deputy prime minister Joe Natuman said more than 300 delegates attended the congress which mapped out a strategy as the party looks to reassert itself at the 2020 general elections.
"To make sure that more young people are in. And we were very happy that there were more younger generation attending this congress than ever before. So basically the main thing with this congress was to ensure that Vanua'aku Pati comes back again much stronger in the political landscape here."
Mr Natuman said the Vanua'aku Pati has been trying to close the communication gap between older and younger generations.
He said younger generations sometimes didn't have a sense of the history of Vanuatu's struggle for independence or the importance of protecting land ownership for ni-Vanuatu.
Land issues, as well as political and constitutional reform, remain core areas of policy for the Vanua'aku Pati and the other leading players in Vanuatu's coalition government led by prime minister Charlot Salwai.
A statue at the entrance to Vanuatu's parliament in the capital, Port Vila. Photo: RNZI / Jamie Tahana
The chances of pushing through the reforms are complicated by the fact that Vanuatu's parliament remains fragmented, although Mr Salwai was elected in February with around the two-thirds majority required to pass constitutional changes.
Presently the VP and the Union of Moderate Parties each have six MPs in the 52-seat parliament, while Mr Salwai's Reunification of Movements for Change party has three.
The Graon Mo Jastis Pati, led by Lands Minister Ralph Regenvanu, has the most MPs with seven.
Mr Natuman said the Vanua'aku Pati's pact with its coalition partners remained strong, particularly with its the National United Party of Ham Lini which it is
