After surviving its first year intact following the 2024 earthquake election, Prime Minister Jotham Napat’s coalition enters 2026 with rare momentum. Despite defeating a no-confidence motion and settling long-standing teacher pay disputes, the government faces mounting pressure to clean up state institutions.
The Year of Records
The Napat administration’s first year was marked by high-stakes wins and legislative activity:
- Climate Leadership: Won a historic ICJ advisory opinion on climate justice.
- Labor Peace: Signed a VT4.25 billion deal to resolve teacher salary grievances.
- Judicial Rigor: Successfully applied the 2023 Electoral Act to replace a convicted MP without a by-election.
The Shadow of the “Golden Passport”
The primary threat to public trust remains the Commission of Inquiry report into the citizenship-by-investment scheme. Despite the report being finished, the government’s silence has fueled rumors of a political house of cards.
“The public remains in the dark… poor regulation produces internationally embarrassing headlines.”
Demands for Reform
As the 14th legislature moves forward, critics are calling for three specific shifts:
- Legislative Transparency: In 2025, nearly 300 new laws and regulations were passed, yet few reached the public or the Parliament website.
- Public Service Accountability: Leaders are calling for an end to “nepotism and inefficiency.” Despite orders to stay open, many offices still close for lunch, hindering revenue.
- Constitutional Consistency: High-level errors, such as a discriminatory by-law banning menstruating women from markets, highlight a need for better legal vetting at the State House.
The Road Ahead: 2026 and Beyond
While Vanuatu has avoided the democratic retreat seen in other parts of the world, its future depends on whether the Napat government chooses transparency over secrecy. With President Nikenike Vurobaravu’s term ending in 2027, the “mutual accountability” between the State House and the legislature will be tested.
As media veteran Moses Steven noted, the nation requires “a new mentality to serve the public.” If the government can release the citizenship report and overhaul the civil service, 2026 could mark the end of a decade-long decline in public trust. If not, the current stability may prove to be a temporary calm before the next political storm.
Source: Devpolicy Blog (devpolicy.org), from the Development Policy Centre at The Australian National University.
