no confidence motion

RNZ reports noble MP Lord Vaea has been warning of a vote of no-confidence for two months but was stymied by the September adjournment of parliament until today.

Lord Vaea is out of the country until the end of the week but said he is surprised by reports that the Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva is contemplating naming a noble to replace the sacked minister Fe'ao Vakata.

Mr Pohiva told Kaniva News he is considering a noble representative to replace Mr Vakata who was fired over a clash with one of his female directors.

The 15 August challenge comes from the nine Noble MPs in the 26 seat parliament, citing a series of policy mistakes that have taken place recently.               

Noble MP Lord Vaea told Radio Australia several independents will support the vote, and he is even expecting some defections from the government.

“We believe that over the last 18 months the government has not performed as we anticipated. The way the PM has been performing we feel he hasn't come up to the standard expected of him.

After a lengthy debate on the motion, which was put forward by opposition MP Semesa Karavaki, the motion was defeated with 28 votes against the motion, 11 votes in favour and 11 abstentions.

The 33 senators in the Nitijela voted 21-12 in favour of the motion, ending the shortest presidency in the history of Marshall Islands.

Mr Nemra, who was elected to the legislature in November, was inaugurated a week ago, after winning the presidency by a one-vote margin in the 33-seat parliament earlier this month.

Mr Nemra was only inaugurated a week ago, after winning the presidency by a one-vote margin in the 33-seat parliament earlier this month.

The opposition won a vote in parliament today for the motion to be put tomorrow.