Ishmael Kalsakau | |
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![]() 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) |
Political party | Union of Moderate Parties |
Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau is a Vanuatuan 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]
In 2005,Kalsakau was appointed the Legal Counsel of MCA Vanuatu,the Vanuatuan 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]
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]
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]
Indigene lawyer, Ishmael Kalsakau was chosen collectively by the MCA Committee based on availability, aggressiveness or energetic, a good draftsman, rate of winning important cases in court, a good lawyer who can face the negotiation process
The case of Kalsakau v Principal Electoral Officer & others was keenly watched as Ishmael Kalsakau, the Attorney-General (and unsuccessful candidate in last year's general election), challenged the results of the Port Vila election on two grounds.
Minister for Justice and Community Services, Christophe Emelee yesterday confirmed to Daily Post the appointment of Mr. Ishmael Kalsakau as New Attorney General (AG) for the Government of Vanuatu.
It's been confirmed, Member of Parliament for Port Vila Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau is the Leader of the Opposition in this new Parliament of the Republic of Vanuatu.
Opposition leader, Ishmael Kalsakau, has slammed the proposals, instead arguing that Vanuatu should explore more indirect forms of taxation, such as an overhaul of the VAT.
Public Relations Officer (PRO) to the Vanuatu Prime Minister Hilaire Bule has called on Leader of Opposition Ishmael Kalsakau to voluntarily resign over what he labeled "misleading statements" to the local media, last week.