Vanuatu voters set for next week's polls

Vanuatu’s Minister of Finance is confident the country’s coalition Government will be returned after next week’s elections.

Elections for Vanuatu’s 52-member parliament are due to be held next Tuesday, and have attracted more than 300 candidates, Radio New Zealand International reports.

Willie Jimmy says his party wants to address issues of security and how to keep the government stable

"I am very much optimistic and certain that first I will retain on of the seats in Port Vila, and that it is quite possible this government continues with at least a much lesser political groupings, for the better stability throughout the next 4 year term to 2012."

Willie Jimmy says because Vanuatu is dependent on imports, the rising cost of living is out of the government’s control.