Marshalls opposition tables no confidence motion against President

WELLINGTON, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Marshall Islands President Litokwa Tomeing is facing his first vote of no confidence less than one year into his administration, Radio New Zealand International reported on Wednesday.

The motion was introduced on Tuesday - the last sitting day of the year. It was only the third motion of no confidence brought in the nearly 30 years of constitutional government in the Marshalls.

The opposition said it tabled the no confidence motion for the following several reasons.

-- The government's lack of support for a U.S. Senate bill that would have provided 4 million U.S. dollars per year for health care services for nuclear test affected islanders for the next 15 years;

-- Deteriorating relations with the United States, which is the country's largest aid donor;

-- The government's refusal to move forward on a previously approved and funded new elementary school project for the capital, Majuro.

The president's majority has been slim since his January election, when he ousted previous President Kessai Note by an 18-15 vote to take control of the country's first-ever coalition government.

Opposition members said government party members would vote with them to form a new government, while the government party claims the opposition does not have the numbers to win the vote.