These institutions, which date from the country's independence in 1980, exist alongside traditional systems of leadership and justice upheld by community chiefs.
Major political issues in Vanuatu include: customary land rights, foreign investment and the sale of citizenship to foreigners, infrastructure development, recognition of West Papua, response to natural disasters and climate change, the tackling of instability and corruption, and the safeguarding of the country's cultural heritage.
[3] The duties, functions, and powers of the Attorney General are outlined in the Republic of Vanuatu's State Law Office Act [242].
[4] The Attorney General may participate in the meetings and deliberations of the Council of Ministers so as to offer legal advice, but does not have any voting rights nor is designated as a member.
Parliament can sit for as long as four years unless dissolved by majority vote of a three-fourths quorum or a directive from the President on the advice of the prime minister.
The political culture is based around clientelism, with MPs having 'allocations' of money to spend on their constituents, and voters judging candidates primarily on their ability to bring resources into their communities rather than on national policy positions.
Though bribery is not common in everyday life in Vanuatu, its political system is widely perceived as extremely corrupt.
[33] However, as of 2018, Vanuatu enacted new legislation in order to improve access to information, opening up the government to better accountability and citizen participation.
However, this division has become blurred in recent years due to the fragmentation of political parties and the evolution of a post-independence national identity.
He formed a coalition government with Walter Lini's breakaway VP faction, now named the National United Party (NUP).
In 2004, Natapei dissolved parliament, and following another national election in July of that year, Vohor became prime minister again when two members of the Vanu'aku Party defected to join a new coalition.
In March 2004 the term of office of President John Bani expired, and Alfred Maseng Nalo was elected in his place.
Following the 2008 parliamentary elections, the governing coalition was maintained, but Ham Lini was replaced as prime minister by Edward Natapei.