MELBOURNE, Australia — Vanuatu conducted a snap general election on Thursday, prompted by Prime Minister Charlot Salwai’s decision to call for voting two years ahead of schedule, rather than face a potential no-confidence vote within his fragmented coalition government.
This election unfolds in the aftermath of a devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of the South Pacific nation on December 17, resulting in the deaths of 14 individuals and leaving many others injured. The most significant damage occurred in the capital city of Port Vila, where the United Nations reported that over 1,000 locals were displaced due to the disaster.
Polling was open for a duration of nine hours, and the counting of ballots is anticipated to extend over several days as officials work to determine which of the 217 candidates will secure one of the 52 parliamentary seats.
Salwai, who became Vanuatu’s fourth prime minister in just four years, dissolved parliament in November and called for early elections to avoid a no-confidence situation. The latest date permitted for the election, following the dissolution of parliament, was January 16.
Post-election, discussions among legislators will commence to ascertain which parties can reach agreements to establish a governing coalition.
Stability in Vanuatu’s government is often elusive, as the country, with a population of approximately 330,000, is made up of more than 80 volcanic and coral islands.
Last year, Vanuatu lost its visa-free access to the European Union due to security concerns associated with its profitable citizenship by investment program aimed at wealthy foreigners. This loss has significantly impacted revenue from the scheme. Furthermore, the nation’s debt levels were already problematic before the earthquake, with China identified as Vanuatu’s largest creditor.
Riley Duke, an analyst from the Lowy Institute in Australia, commented that the early election detracts from addressing critical policy issues the nation faces.
“They’re at a crucial point concerning their need to establish stable revenue to recover from their debt situation,” Duke explained. “The recurring elections compel governments to focus on short-term goals, which means that longer-term policy considerations often get sidelined,” he added.
