PORT VILA (Pacnews) — Vanuatu’s main opposition party, the National United Party, could face a leadership shake-up following its disappointing performance in last week’s elections.
NUP, which was set up by Vanuatu’s first prime minister, the late Father Walter Lini, has slipped from its position as the second biggest party in parliament.
It is now ranked third and is likely to have fewer than ten members elected to parliament.
NUP parliamentary leader Willy Jimmy is calling for a total resignation of top party figures, including its president, Dinh Van Than. Lini’s younger brother, Ham Lini, who is one of the five NUP candidates to retain their seats, is a possible alternative leader.
Meanwhile, there could be an interesting tussle for the prime ministership coming up between the leaders of the two governing coalition partners, with Prime Minister Edward Natapei’s Vanua’aku Party and the Union of Moderate Parties led by Deputy Prime Minister Serge Vohor. Both have won about the same number of seats.
In other developments, police in Port Vila have begun arresting suspects in Thursday’s voting irregularities.
According to national radio Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corp., a number of arrests were made in settlements around Port Vila.
