Vanuatu: Prime Minister Napat likely to maintain continued coalition backing for the medium-term

On 19 December, Prime Minister Jotham Napat defeated a motion of no confidence (MONC) by 36 votes to 12 following the Court of Appeal’s recall of parliament. A media report indicated that the 36 Members of Parliament (MPs) reaffirmed their support for PM Napat during a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office a day before parliament reconvened. Opposition leader Ishmael Kalsakau withdrew a further MONC against the Speaker after the loss.

Assessment: The MONC represents the first formal challenge to Prime Minister Napat since the snap election on 11 February 2025. The outcome suggests that coalition members are satisfied with their current positions and have no motivation to seek change. No indications were observed that Prime Minister Napat offered positions or access to state resources to influence  support. He is likely to maintain this backing for the next 12 months.

Sources: “No-confidence motion against Vanuatu PM defeated,” RNZ, 19 December 2025; Hilaire Bule, “PM Napat confident with 36 MPs ahead of no-confidence motion,” Daily Post, 19 December 2025.