Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Saatearoto wins mayor’s race in Vanuatu capital

Posted at 03:17 on 19 November, 2009 UTC

Willie Saatearoto is the new mayor of Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila.

Mr Saatearoto, who’s a member of the Alliance which earlier this week moved from the opposition to government, was elected unanimously.

His election is part of a package that enticed the Alliance to join the Edward Natapei-led coalition government.

The Alliance’s leader, Sato Kilman, has become the Deputy Prime Minister in a Cabinet reshuffle that saw half of the ministers dumped and the National United Party and the Vanuatu Republican Party shut out of government.

Both parties had reportedly planned to try and topple Mr Natapei in a vote of no confidence.

Meanwhile, Port Vila’s new mayor is promising to sort out the city’s debts.