Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Vanuatu tosses out the Vohor Government

Posted at 22:32 on 10 December, 2004 UTC

In Vanuatu Serge Vohor was dumped as Prime Minister last night after the Court of Appeal yesterday rejected his attempt to block a vote of no confidence.

It is understood that Ham Lini, who until a week ago, was Deputy Prime Minister, is leading the new Government.

Last week five Ministers and 11 other members of his coalition government joined the Opposition which had brought a motion of no confidence following Mr Vohor agreeing secretly to grant diplomatic recognition to Taiwan.

Government attempts to block the vote, claiming a constitutional amendment no longer allowed votes of no confidence 12 months either side of an election, were dismissed by the court.