Editing Politics of Vanuatu (section)

==Executive branch==
{{office-table}}
|[[President of Vanuatu|President]]
|[[Nikenike Vurobaravu]]
|[[Vanua'aku Pati]]
|23 July 2022
|-
|[[Prime Minister of Vanuatu|Prime Minister]]
|[[Charlot Salwai]]
|[[Reunification Movement for Change]]
|6 October 2023
|}
The [[Constitution of Vanuatu|constitution]] created a [[republic]]an political [[system]] headed by a [[President (government title)|president]] who has primarily ceremonial powers and is elected by a [[two-thirds majority]] in an [[electoral college]] consisting of members of Parliament and the presidents of [[council|Regional Council]]s. The president serves a 5-year term. The president may be removed by the electoral college for gross misconduct or incapacity.

The prime minister, who is the head of government, is elected by an absolute majority of the [[Parliament of Vanuatu|Parliament]]. The prime minister in turn appoints the [[Cabinet of Vanuatu|Council of Ministers]], whose number may not exceed a quarter of the number of parliamentary representatives. The prime minister and the Council of Ministers constitute the executive government.

=== Attorney General of Vanuatu ===
The post of Attorney General existed even before Vanuatu declared its independence in 1980. One of the last Attorneys General of [[New Hebrides]] (Vanuatu's former name), Paul Julian Treadwell ({{Circa|1973-1977}}), even advocated for Vanuatu's independence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lawsociety.org.nz/news-and-communications/people-in-the-law/obituaries/obituaries-list/paul-julian-treadwell-obe,-qc-new-hebrides-1930-2017|title=New Zealand Law Society|website=www.lawsociety.org.nz|language=en|access-date=2018-03-14|archive-date=2018-03-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315070815/https://www.lawsociety.org.nz/news-and-communications/people-in-the-law/obituaries/obituaries-list/paul-julian-treadwell-obe,-qc-new-hebrides-1930-2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p297671/pdf/ch013.pdf|title=A Political Memoir of the Anglo-French Condominium of the New Hebrides Arrival: Port Vila, Santo and the Condominium}}</ref>

Upon the country's declaration of independence in 1980, it was established that the Attorney General of Vanuatu is the principal legal officer for the government of Vanuatu.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YvFNAQAAIAAJ|title=Vanuatu law reports|date=1996|language=en}}</ref> The duties, functions, and powers of the Attorney General are outlined in the Republic of Vanuatu's State Law Office Act [242].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://mjcs.gov.vu/index.php/justice-sector/state-law-office|title=State Law Office|last=David|first=Angela|website=mjcs.gov.vu|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-03-14|archive-date=2018-03-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315003756/https://mjcs.gov.vu/index.php/justice-sector/state-law-office|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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. 
{| class="wikitable"
|+
Attorney General of Vanuatu (Complete Table)
!Name
!Term
|-
|Michael Gaiger<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RjIxAQAAIAAJ|title=Melanesian Law Journal|date=1991|publisher=Papua and New Guinea University law Faculty|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hDgoAQAAMAAJ|title=Report of the 1981 Meeting of Pacific Islands Law Officers: Port Vila, Vanuatu, 20-22, July 1981|date=1981|publisher=Commonwealth Secretariat|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PO81AQAAIAAJ|title=Australian Foreign Affairs Record|date=1980|publisher=Australian Government Pub. Service|language=en}}</ref>
|{{Circa|1980-1982}}
|-
|William A. Kattan<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/commwlb8&div=59&id=&page=|title=Announcements Notes (8 Commonwealth Law Bulletin 1982)|journal=Commonwealth Law Bulletin|year=1982|volume=8|page=1620|access-date=2018-03-14}}</ref>
|{{Circa|1982-1986}}
|-
|Silas Hakwa<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nn50AAAAMAAJ|title=Pacific Islands Monthly: PIM.|date=1986|publisher=Pacific Publications|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/120407715/|title=The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales on August 2, 1988 · Page 9|work=Newspapers.com|access-date=2018-03-14|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xPYxAQAAIAAJ|title=Asia-Pacific Defence Reporter|date=1991|publisher=Peter Isaacson|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=09Si7DQsVSoC&pg=PA112|title=Melanesian Politics: Stael Blong Vanuatu|last=Trease|first=Howard Van|date=1995|publisher=editorips@usp.ac.fj|isbn=9780958330046|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OW45AQAAIAAJ|title=Asia-Pacific Constitutional Yearbook|date=1995|publisher=Centre for Comparative Constitutional Studies, University of Melbourne|language=en}}</ref> (1st Ni-Vanuatu male)
|{{Circa|1986-1994}}
|-
|Patrick Ellum<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ato.gov.au/law/view/document?Mode=type&TOC=%2205%3ACases%3AFederal%20Court%3A2012%3AAustralia%20and%20New%20Zealand%20Banking%20Group%20Ltd%20v.%20Konza%20(Deputy%20Commissioner%20of%20Taxation)%20and%20Others%20-%20(9%20March%202012)%3A%230101%23Judgment%20by%20Lander%20J%26c%3B%22&DOCID=%22JUD%2F2012ATC20-305%2F00001%22|title=AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LTD v KONZA & ANOR}}{{Dead link|date=June 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|{{Circa|1994-1996}}
|-
|[[Oliver Saksak]]<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7HM5AQAAIAAJ|title=Asia-Pacific Constitutional Yearbook|last1=Saunders|first1=Cheryl|last2=Hassall|first2=Graham|date=1997|publisher=Centre for Comparative Constitutional Studies, University of Melbourne|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z4p0AAAAMAAJ|title=Pacific Islands Monthly|date=1996|publisher=Pacific Publications|language=en}}</ref>
|{{Circa|1996-1997}}
|-
|Hamlinson Bulu<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blakandblack.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Questionaire-to-Australian-Federal-DPP-Bugg-QC-07-08-07.pdf|title=SOLOMON ISLANDS GOVERNMENT QUESTIONNAIRE FOR THE AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS, MR DAMIAN BUGG QC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314104820/http://blakandblack.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Questionaire-to-Australian-Federal-DPP-Bugg-QC-07-08-07.pdf|archive-date=2018-03-14|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=13270&type=98|title=USP: The USP Community Legal Centre: Combining legal education and legal services in a developing island country|website=www.usp.ac.fj|language=en|access-date=2018-03-14|archive-date=2018-03-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315133215/https://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=13270&type=98|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|{{Circa|1997-2002}}
|-
|Samson Endehipa<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/142991/png-lawyer-appointed-attorney-general-of-vanuatu|title=PNG lawyer appointed attorney general of Vanuatu|date=2003-03-27|work=Radio New Zealand|access-date=2018-03-14|language=en-nz}}</ref>
|{{Circa|2003-2006}}
|-
|[[Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mjcs.gov.vu/images/research_database/Chief_Justice_Speech_2011_-_Opening_of_Court_27.01.0112.pdf|title=2011 SPEECH OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE COURTS OF VANUATU: THE HONOURABLE CHIEF JUSTICE LUNABEK}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://dailypost.vu/news/kalsakau-appointed-new-attorney-general/article_00936d9c-8204-5572-a741-b24e3c964771.html|title=Kalsakau appointed new Attorney General|work=Vanuatu Daily Post|access-date=2018-03-14|language=en}}</ref>
|{{Circa|2007-2016}}
|-
|Arnold Kiel Loughman<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://dailypost.vu/news/new-ag-appointed/article_fad35e75-18f9-57fa-b39d-4bc5911313e0.html|title=New AG Appointed|last=Joshua|first=Jane|work=Vanuatu Daily Post|access-date=2018-03-14|language=en}}</ref>
|{{Circa|2016}}-
|}

=== Solicitor General of Vanuatu ===
The Solicitor General of Vanuatu supervises and conducts government litigation in court. They also provides legal representation in the absence of the Attorney General of Vanuatu.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://dailypost.vu/news/new-solicitor-general/article_952f3d3b-140f-5117-bc71-6317ff48ce18.html|title=New Solicitor General|last=Roberts|first=Anita|work=Vanuatu Daily Post|access-date=2018-03-14|language=en}}</ref> As with the Attorney General, the duties, functions, and powers of the Solicitor General are outlined in the Republic of Vanuatu's State Law Office Act [242].<ref name=":0" />

Although former [[President of Vanuatu]] [[Kalkot Mataskelekele]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2004/03/31/vanuatu-eight-candidates-for-presidency|title=VANUATU: Eight Candidates for Presidency|date=March 31, 2004|website=RNZI. Pacific Magazine.}}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> has been identified as the first Ni-Vanuatu male to serve as the Solicitor General of Vanuatu, his service years are uncertain.

{| class="wikitable"
|+
Solicitor General of Vanuatu (Incomplete Table)
!Name
!Term
|-
|William A. Kattan<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://findingaids.library.dal.ca/uploads/r/dalhousie-university-archives/6/3/b/63b08f0ecb594ac2cd51dcb872f2c4666feb7cbfc6c6c1ba2930d360d45937ec/ms-2-744_136-3_access_redacted.pdf|title=UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT / UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON CONDITIONSFOR REGISTRATION OF SHIPS / Genova, 16 July 19 &4 27 July 1984 / PROVISIONAL LIST OF PARTICIPANTS|date=July 1984|access-date=15 March 2018|archive-date=16 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316023525/http://findingaids.library.dal.ca/uploads/r/dalhousie-university-archives/6/3/b/63b08f0ecb594ac2cd51dcb872f2c4666feb7cbfc6c6c1ba2930d360d45937ec/ms-2-744_136-3_access_redacted.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ffa.int/system/files/Ellis%20v%20Attorney-General%20%5B1985%5D%20VUSC%209%3B%20%5B1980-1994%5D%20Van%20LR%20190%20%2812%20December%201985%29.pdf|title=Ellis v Attorney-General [1985] VUSC 9; [1980-1994] Van LR 190 (12 December 1985)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316084801/https://www.ffa.int/system/files/Ellis%20v%20Attorney-General%20%5B1985%5D%20VUSC%209%3B%20%5B1980-1994%5D%20Van%20LR%20190%20%2812%20December%201985%29.pdf|archive-date=2018-03-16|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4EEwAQAAMAAJ|title=Documents, United Nations Conference on Conditions for Registration of Ships|date=1990|publisher=United Nations Conference on Trade and Development|language=en}}</ref>
|{{Circa|1984-1990}}
|-
|Oliver Saksak<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vanuatu.usp.ac.fj/library/Online/ombudsman/Vanuatu/99-09.htm|title=REPUBLIC OF VANUATU / OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN / PUBLIC REPORT ON THE MISMANAGEMENT OF THE TENDER SALE OF TEN (10) DEPORTEES' PROPERTIES BY THE FORMER MINISTER OF LANDS, MR PAUL TELUKLUK|date=May 28, 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316084711/http://www.vanuatu.usp.ac.fj/library/Online/ombudsman/Vanuatu/99-09.htm|archive-date=2018-03-16|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.paclii.org/vu/ombudsman/1998/10.rtf|title=REPUBLIC OF VANUATU / OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN / PUBLIC REPORT ON THE IMPROPER GRANTING OF LAND LEASE TITLE 11/22/016 BY THE DEPARTMENT AND MINISTRY OF LANDS|date=April 9, 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316023329/http://www.paclii.org/vu/ombudsman/1998/10.rtf|archive-date=2018-03-16|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|{{Circa|1995-1996}}
|-
|[[Rowan Downing]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.foleys.com.au/Profile.aspx?area=Barristers&id=1816|title=Foley's List|last=Services|first=Contact Point IT|website=www.foleys.com.au|access-date=2018-03-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315133559/http://www.foleys.com.au/Profile.aspx?area=Barristers&id=1816#|archive-date=2018-03-15|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|{{Circa|1999-2002}}
|-
|Dudley Aru*<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pilonsec.org/images/stories/Documents/CountryReports/26th/Vanuatu+country+report+-+26th+PILON+Meeting.pdf|title=REPUBLIC OF VANUATU COUNTRY REPORT 26th PACIFIC ISLANDS LAW OFFICERS NETWORK (PILON) (Rarotonga, Cook Islands 5– 1O December 2007)}}{{Dead link|date=January 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|{{Circa|2003-2009}}
|-
|[[Viran Molisa Trief]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2010/vanuatu|title=Vanuatu|website=freedomhouse.org|language=en|access-date=2018-03-14|archive-date=2018-03-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315200054/https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2010/vanuatu|url-status=dead}}</ref> (1st Ni-Vanuatu female)
|{{Circa|2009-2016}}
|-
|Frederick John Gilu<ref name=":1" />
|{{Circa|2017}}-
|}
<nowiki>*</nowiki>He served as the Acting Attorney General until Samson Endehipa assumed office as the Attorney General of Vanuatu.