The Prime Minister Charlot Salwai-led grand coalition has increased its numbers yet again to 39 following the defection of more Union of Moderate Parties (UMP) MPs.
Yesterday afternoon outside the Office of the Prime minister – overlooking Port Vila Harbour, government members and supporters gathered to witness the re-signing of a memorandum of agreement sealing the ties between the coalition partners.
Ten leaders of the parties were on hand to demonstrate in public they mean business.
Mr Jacque Mariango Nauka, the Vice President of the national executive of the Union of Moderate Parties signed on behalf of UMP and declared that five (5) of the six elected UMP members are joining ranks with the coalition government bringing the numbers to a total of 39 MPs. This leaves the opposition with 13 MPs.
The UMP move leaves, MP Ishmael Kalsakau behind in the opposition but off-course leading the opposition bloc.
The UMP defection followed an earlier move by the Port Vila Greens MP, Kalo Seule, who moved out of the opposition to join his party colleague and Minister for Health, Toara Daniel, on the government side.
The government’s new appointments yesterday however did not accommodate this recent development. But next week, it is anticipated that that some of the supporters of UMP could find themselves appointed into government statutory boards.
Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas commended the UMP move and when speaking on the subject of unity said “unity needs a lot of confidence from within.
“They have expressed their support for this government when electing me as prime minister at the recent parliament and now they’ve come to cement this support”.”
“They brought with them talents, the skills, the commitment etc to help our government”, he said.
PM Salwai reminded everyone of certain element of customs, including the kava he had shared with his colleagues as “moderates” as vital components to development and to achieving the goals for unity.
“We want to make sure the government is well represented”, said PM Salwai.
The prime minister spoke of the much needed changes: “We have all campaigned along the lines of reformation and the people have listened and voted us for that course”.
He praised his unified grand coalition saying it was needed to enable the changes they envisaged in their initial agreement as well as the re-signed MOA.
He said canvased in the new 100-day government-plan are proposals to make necessary changes to the constitution and legislations that are vital to Vanuatu’s political stability.