Ishmael Kalsakau
Prime Minister of Vanuatu from 2022 to 2023
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau is a Ni-Vanuatu politician who served as Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu from 4 November 2022[1][2] until 4 September 2023.[3] He is the head of the Union of Moderate Parties in Vanuatu.[4]
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Ishmael Kalsakau | |
|---|---|
Kalsakau in 2016 | |
| 13th Prime Minister of Vanuatu | |
| In office 4 November 2022 – 4 September 2023 | |
| President | Nikenike Vurobaravu |
| Preceded by | Bob Loughman |
| Succeeded by | Sato Kilman |
| Deputy Prime Minister of Vanuatu | |
| In office 21 April 2022 – 4 November 2022 | |
| Prime Minister | Bob Loughman |
| Preceded by | Jotham Napat |
| Succeeded by | Sato Kilman |
| Minister of Internal Affairs of Vanuatu | |
| In office 21 April 2022 – 4 November 2022 | |
| Prime Minister | Bob Loughman |
| Preceded by | Andrew Napuat |
| Personal details | |
| Born | New Hebrides (now Vanuatu) |
| Party | Union of Moderate Parties |
Career
In 2005, Kalsakau was appointed the Legal Counsel of MCA Vanuatu, the Vanuatu's component of the Millennium Challenge Corporation.[5]
Kalsakau was Attorney General of Vanuatu, but resigned the post to contest parliamentary elections.[6][7] After he lost, he returned to his post of Attorney General, raising concerns from Transparency International.[7] Following the 2012 general election, he alleged that three ministers, including Moana Carcasses Kalosil, engaged in vote buying to secure several seats in Port Vila.[8]
In 2014, Kalsakau was re-appointed Attorney General of the Government of Vanuatu.[9]
Kalsakau was confirmed as Leader of the Opposition in February 2016.[10]
Kalsakau became prime minister in 2022. In August 2023, he reshuffled his cabinet ahead of a confidence motion prompted by opposition to his security pact with Australia.[11][12] On 16 August, he survived the confidence motion by one vote.[11] The Supreme Court later ruled the motion successful and he was replaced by Sato Kilman on 4 September.[3]
Political positions
Kalsakau criticized a government proposal to introduce income tax to Vanuatu, leading a government spokesman to call on him to resign for "misleading statements".[13][14]
Kalsakau has expressed skepticism regarding increased Chinese involvement in Vanuatu, as well as a lack of transparency regarding loans from China.[4]
Family
Two of Kalsakau's brothers — Ephraim Kalsakau and Joshua Kalsakau — were also elected as Members of Parliament in 2016.[15] His father was First Chief Minister George Kalsakau, who was involved in negotiating Vanuatu's independence from France and the United Kingdom.[15]
