Following an attempt by some politicians to remove the prime minister, the president of the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu on Thursday dissolved the parliament, according to state broadcaster VBTC.
After a number of parliamentarians from his party said they had united with the opposition in an effort to have him removed, it was anticipated that Prime Minister Bob Loughman would be the target of a no-confidence resolution when parliament next met.
According to a copy of the notification, Nikenike Vurobaravu, the president of Vanuatu, signed a notice dissolving parliament on Thursday for it to go into effect that same day.
Vanuatu wasn't scheduled to hold elections until 2024.
Unhappiness recently stemmed from Loughman's unsuccessful attempt to amend the constitution to, among other things, increase election cycles from four to five years.
Opposition leader Ralph Regenavu told Reuters the dissolution would be challenged in court, and a majority of parliament members were in support of the bid to remove Loughman.
Regenavu said he had the support of 29 out of 51 lawmakers.
Loughman and his supporters had boycotted parliament on Tuesday to avoid the no-confidence vote, he said.
Loughman told VBTC he was caretaker prime minister and welcomed the president’s decision.
Loughman’s office could not immediately be reached by Reuters.
The Pacific has become a focus of intensifying geopolitical contest between China and the United States and its allies this year, with China seeking to increase its security and trade presence.