A secret ballot vote appointed Edward Natapei as Vanuatu's new Prime Minister this week.

Nominated by out-going prime minister, Ham Lini, Prime Minister Natapei has had a substantial career in politics and was also Prime Minister from 2001 until 2004.

Representing a coalition of parties including his own, Vanua'aku Party, Prime Minister Natapei received 27 of the 52 votes in parliament while his opponent, Maxime Carlot Korman, received 25.