Kalkot Mataskelekele

Kalkot Mataskelekele Mauliliu (born 24 April 1949) is a Vanuatuan politician who served as the president of Vanuatu from 16 August 2004 to 16 August 2009.

His Excellency
Kalkot Mataskelekele
Kalkot Mataskelekele in 2009
6th President of Vanuatu
In office
16 August 2004 – 16 August 2009
Prime MinisterEdward Natapei
Serge Vohor
Ham Lini
Edward Natapei
Preceded byJosias Moli (acting)
Succeeded byMaxime Carlot Korman (acting)
Personal details
Born (1949-04-24) 24 April 1949
Political partyNational United Party
Spouse(s)Hanson Mataskelekele
Heather Lini-Leo Matas (m. 2014-2016; her death)

Biography

He was educated at Scotch College, Melbourne[1] the University of Papua New Guinea. He is a lawyer from the national capital, Port Vila, and is the first Head of State of Vanuatu to have a university degree. Mataskelekele had previously served as Vanuatu's first indigenous Solicitor General and a former Supreme Court justice.[2]

He was elected by the electoral college, which consists of the Parliament and regional Presidents, on 16 August 2004, and sworn in the same day.

He had previously been a candidate in the presidential election of April 2004, and was backed by the government of Edward Natapei. However, after several inconclusive rounds in the electoral college, he was defeated by Alfred Maseng. After the impeachment of Maseng and a parliamentary election, a new election was held on 12 August 2004, which was inconclusive and was continued on 16 August. Though Kalkot was widely expected to win, there were many other candidates, and he faced tough opposition from Willie David Saul and former Prime Minister Donald Kalpokas. In the final round of voting, Kalkot defeated Saul by a vote of 49 to 7.

References
  1. "Great Scot" magazine. "Vanuatu President visits Scotch". Retrieved 30 Dec 2009.
  2. "VANUATU: Eight Candidates for Presidency". RNZI. Pacific Magazine. 2004-03-31. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
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