The five political parties sign agreement to form the next government. 27 January 2025 Photo: Facebook / YTS News
Vanuatu's 52-member House will sit today following the country's January 16 snap election.
The term of the caretaker government, led by outgoing Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, ended at midnight on 10 February.
The snap election on 16 January was called in November 2024 and held despite a 7.3 magnitude earthquake that devastated the capital on 17 December.
Fourteen people died in the quake, over 210 were injured, and thousands were displaced as aftershocks continued.
Vanuatu Electoral Commission chairman Edward Kaltamat and members of his executive declared the official results of the snap election on 30 January].
The Leaders Party was the most successful in the national poll, emerging with nine parliamentary seats - two more than its closest rival the Vanua'aku Pati, which has seven.
The Iauko Group, Union of Moderate Parties, and the Rural Development Party each have six seats.
Graon Mo Jastis Pati and the Reunification Movement for Change each have five seats.
The eight remaining seats in the 52-member House are all held individually by the remaining parties, custom movements, and the solitary independent MP.
Against all odds, one woman secured a seat in the 52-member parliament.
Marie Louis Paulette Milne, one of only seven women among 216 election candidates, secured 1227 votes to pip her closest rival Tony George Yasyas Ailir (who polled 1197 votes) for the final seat in the Port Vila Constituency.
Various alliances have been discussed to try and form a coalition government ahead of Tueday's sitting.
At the top of the agenda will be the selection of a prime minister.
