The people of Vanuatu have lived here for thousands of years. After 1825, missionaries, merchants, and planters from countries such as the United Kingdom and France began to arrive. In October 1906, France and the United Kingdom signed a condominium agreement, and the area became a jointly administered colony of the two nations. In 1940, the John Frum movement emerged, openly advocating against the church, against white people, and against the government. In 1963, the first political party, the Village Party, was established, demanding land restitution and independence. Due to the rapid development of the nationalist movement, the United Kingdom and France agreed to implement internal self-government in the region in January 1978. Independence was achieved on July 30, 1980, and the country was named the Republic of Vanuatu. After independence, Walter Lini, the leader of the New Hebrides Party (later renamed the Vanuatu Party), became the first Prime Minister, with Sokomanu serving as President. On January 30, 1989, Frederick Timakata was appointed President. In March 1994, Jean-Marie Léyé became President.
In March 1998, Vanuatu held national elections, and the Vanuatu Party formed a coalition government with the National United Party, with Vanuatu Party Chairman Kalpokas serving as Prime Minister. On November 25, 1999, the second plenary session of the Vanuatu Parliament opened, where opposition leader Molkin Steven and others proposed a motion of no confidence against the Kalpokas government. To avoid a parliamentary no-confidence vote, Kalpokas resigned before the vote. Sopo, the chairman of the Melanesian Progressive Party, was elected as the new Prime Minister in Parliament with 28 votes against 24. The coalition government was formed by five parties: the Melanesian Progressive Party, the National United Party, the Moderate Party (Wohor faction), the Republican Party, and the John Frum Movement.
In September 2008, Vanuatu held new parliamentary elections, and Edward Natapei, the chairman of the Vanuatu Party, was elected as Prime Minister. In December 2010, the Vanuatu Parliament passed a motion of no confidence against the Natapei government proposed by the opposition, leading to the resignation of the coalition government formed by the Vanuatu Party, the Moderate Party, and the Alliance Party. A new government was formed under the leadership of Sato Kilman from the Alliance Party, Coleman from the Republican Party, Ham Lini from the National United Party, and independent members. From April to June 2011, the Vanuatu government underwent several changes. On June 26, Kilman was re-elected as Prime Minister, confirming his position in office.