Georgio Calo, the First Political Advisor (PA) to the Vanuatu Prime Minister’s Office, has expressed his opposition to the motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau, stating that it is unwarranted. Calo emphasized that Kalsakau has only been in office for six months and should be given more time to demonstrate his capabilities.
Calo further highlighted that Kalsakau’s government had to make significant financial settlements due to the wrongful terminations of former civil servants, including high-ranking officials such as the director general of justice, the former Public Service Commission chairman, and the former Public Utilities Ministry director general. However, Calo clarified that these terminations occurred under the leadership of the previous Prime Minister, Bob Loughman, who is now the leader of the opposition and has initiated the motion of no confidence.
Loughman has accused the Kalsakau-led government of exerting political pressure on state institutions and targeting public officials through threats and intimidation. Calo, on the other hand, refuted these allegations, stating that there is no political influence in government institutions as claimed by Loughman and the opposition.
The First PA criticized the reasons behind the motion, arguing that the Prime Minister has not been given a fair opportunity to prove his leadership. A spokesperson for the Vanuatu government affirmed that the coalition government has sufficient support to retain power despite the motion of no confidence.
The motion is scheduled to be discussed in Parliament on Friday.
