in march 1998, after a successful parliamentary election for the vanuatu party and the national united party, led by lina, both parties formed a coalition government in which kalpokas became prime minister and foreign minister on march 30, 1998. vanuatu. however, in just a few months, the coalition fell apart, and kalpokas formed a new coalition with the union of moderate parties. among his government's main achievements were the privatization of airports and the introduction of a 12.5% vat. in november 1999, before the vote of no confidence, kalpokas resigned as prime minister.