Father Walter Hadye Lini (1942-1999) was an Anglican priest and the founding prime minister of Vanuatu. During the era when Vanuatu was a condominium ruled by the United Kingdom and France, Lini formed the Vanua'aku Party, which was principally backed by English-speakers. He became the colony's chief minister in 1979 and ascended to the position of prime minister upon Vanuatu's independence in 1980. His administration was very controversial in the West because of the ties it created with the Communist bloc, Libya, and other socialist countries viewed with disdain by the United States and Europe. Lini was staunchly opposed to nuclear testing in the region and provided aid to third-world liberation movements such as the Kanak indigenous movement in New Caledonia. His term ended in 1991, due to factionalism within his party. His daughter, Hilda Lini and brother Ham Lini are also politicians in Vanuatu.
During the era when Vanuatu was a condominium ruled by the United Kingdom and France, Lini formed the Vanua'aku Party, which was principally backed by English-speakers.
His administration was very controversial in the West because of the ties it created with the Communist bloc, Libya, and other socialist countries viewed with disdain by the United States and Europe.
Lini was staunchly opposed to nuclear testing in the region and provided aid to third-world liberation movements such as the Kanak indigenous movement in New Caledonia.
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