Friend Melanesian Party

The Friend Melanesian Party (FMP) is a political party in Vanuatu. The party is usually seen as close to the Union of Moderate Parties.

Friend Melanesian Party
Founded1975
IdeologyDecentralisation
Political positionCentre
Parliament
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Vanuatu
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Vanuatu

History

The FMP was formed in 1975 by French-speaking Protestant Pisovuke Albert Ravutia as a reaction to the success of the New Hebrides National Party.[1][2][3] In 1981 it joined the francophone Union of Moderate Parties alliance, but due to the Catholic dominance of the alliance in contrast to the Protestant majority in the FMP, it opted to remain an individual party and fielded candidates against the UMP.[2]

In the 1983 general elections the party received 2.3% of the vote, winning a single seat in Parliament, aligning itself with the UMP.[3] It retained its seat in the 1987, 1991 and 1995 elections, but did not contest the 1998 elections. The party returned to Parliament after winning one seat in the 2002 elections, but lost it in the 2004 elections. It also remained seatless after the 2008 elections.

In the 2012 elections the party nominated three candidates.[4] It received 0.9% of the vote, failing to win a seat. In the 2016 elections the party fielded two candidates,[5] winning one seat; Edwin Amblus in Santo.[6]

References
  1. Roland Rich, Luke Hambly & Michael G. Morgan (2008) Political Parties in the Pacific Islands, ANU E Press, p124
  2. The political parties and groupings of Vanuatu ALP International Projects
  3. Howard Van Trease (1995) Melanesian Politics: Stael Blong Vanuatu, p225
  4. Legislative elections held on 30 October 2012 Psephos
  5. Final candidate list for the 2016 General Election Vanuatu Daily, 11 January 2016
  6. Unofficial results Vanuatu Daily Post, 25 January 2016
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