News of Napat's victory was welcomed by people living on the small island nation. Good choice, said Joe Warii, who heads a local church group helping victims of the disaster. Napat has vowed to restore public confidence in government after a series of corruption scandals dogged his predecessors. He will be formally appointed by President Nikenike Vurobaravu early next month. The prime minister-designate told reporters he had not yet decided whether he would retain current Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, who was sacked on Friday. Salwai is the fourth leader to lose power in less than 18 months.? Vanuatu's economy depends heavily on tourism and agriculture but faces increasing threats from climate change. The island nation of about 300,000 people lies about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to Australia.

News of Napat's victory was welcomed by people living on the small island nation. Good choice, said Joe Warii, who heads a local church group helping victims of the disaster. Napat has vowed to restore public confidence in government after a series of corruption scandals dogged his predecessors. He will be formally appointed by President Nikenike Vurobaravu early next month. The prime minister-designate told reporters he had not yet decided whether he would retain current Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, who was sacked on Friday. Salwai is the fourth leader to lose power in less than 18 months.? Vanuatu's economy depends heavily on tourism and agriculture but faces increasing threats from climate change. The island nation of about 300,000 people lies about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to Australia.