New Vanuatu Prime Minister To Be Elected Next Week
2 rival groups face off to claim majority government

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Nov. 13, 2012) – The office of the clerk of parliament in Vanuatu has confirmed that the new parliament will meet on Monday to elect a new speaker and a prime minister.

The 52 elected members of parliament will first elect the speaker who will then conduct the election of the prime minister.

After that, the new prime minister will appoint his 13 ministers.

With less than a week to go, two rival groups - one led by Sato Kilman, the other by Edward Natapei - claim to have majority support.

Our correspondent says with 17 political parties winning seats the country is likely to face more instability than during the last parliament.

Once elected, the new prime minister will benefit from a one-year grace period during which no motion of no confidence can be lodged.

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