FILE PHOTO: Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Bob Loughman remotely addresses the 76th Session of the U.N. General Assembly by pre-recorded video, in New York City, U.S., September 25, 2021. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/Pool/File Photo
Wellington, New Zealand — Vanuatu’s opposition on Monday asked the country’s top court to block the recent snap dissolution of parliament, challenging the prime minister’s controversial bid to avoid a vote of no confidence.
The usually calm Pacific island nation was plunged into political crisis on Friday when parliament was abruptly dissolved, sparing Prime Minister Bob Loughman from the vote, which could have brought his government down.
Recently-elected President Nikenike Vurobaravu, a long-time party ally of Loughman, took the decision to dissolve parliament, prompting questions about political interference.
Opposition leader Ralph Regenvanu said he filed a legal challenge with the country’s Supreme Court on Monday in an effort to reverse the dissolution.
“We requested an urgent constitutional case warranting an immediate hearing,” Regenvanu told AFP, adding the hearing is likely to be held in the next few days.
Vanuatu will go to the polls in the next 60 days if the parliamentary dissolution is upheld.
The country had not been due to hold an election until 2024.
The no-confidence vote in Loughman — who has led the Pacific island nation since 2020 — was backed by the country’s opposition as well as 17 lawmakers from the ruling party.
In June, Vanuatu announced agreements with Beijing, deepening their economic ties with China, after Loughman met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the capital Port Vila.
Pacific nations have come under intense political scrutiny amid China-US tensions, with Beijing seeking to increase its security and trade presence in the region.