Snap Election in Vanuatu Amidst Challenges of Government Formation and Political Stability Expected

Snap Election in Vanuatu Amidst Challenges of Government Formation and Political Stability Expected

Melbourne, Australia – The island nation of Vanuatu in the South Pacific held a snap general election on Thursday, a month after a devastating earthquake. Prime Minister Charlot Salwai decided to call the election two years early to avoid the risk of a no-confidence vote in his divided coalition government.

On December 17, a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu, killing 14 people and injuring many more. The United Nations reported that the capital, Port Vila, suffered the most damage, with more than 1,000 residents displaced.

After nine hours of voting, counting is now underway, which is expected to continue for several days. Winners will be determined for 52 parliamentary seats among 217 candidates. Salwai, Vanuatu's fourth prime minister in four years, dissolved parliament in November and called the election to avoid a no-confidence vote. January 16 was the latest possible election date following the dissolution of parliament.

Following the election results, discussions will take place among lawmakers to determine which parties can agree to form a government. Vanuatu's political environment is typically unstable, with a population of 330,000 people living across more than 80 coral and volcanic islands.

Last year, Vanuatu lost its visa-free access to the European Union due to security concerns over its lucrative trade in selling citizenship to wealthy foreigners. This move significantly reduced revenue from the scheme. Before the earthquake, the country's debt level was already worsening, with China being its largest creditor.

Riley Duke, a regional analyst at Australia's Lowy Institute, stated that the early election distracted from the country's policy priorities.

“They are at a critical juncture where they need stable revenue to get out of their debt situation. The frequency of the elections forces governments to focus continually on the short term, meaning policy doesn't stay on the agenda; instead, the focus shifts to short-term political outcomes,” he added.