Tonga’s Caretaker Government unconfirmed [1]
Friday, January 5, 2018 - 19:13
News that the Prime Minister Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva has submitted a list of the names of his 12 new Cabinet Ministers, including himself, was circulated on the internet today. However, at the end of the day, the Prime Minister’s Office in Nuku'alofa could not officially confirm the new line-up.
The release of the list of names was attributed to the Minister of Justice, Hon. Vuna Fa'otusia.
The PM is expected to present his Cabinet selection to the Lord Chamberlain for the King's official appointment of the new Ministers.
However, there was no response from the office of the Lord Chamberlain today, so the submission of the list to the King could not be confirmed or denied.
Meanwhile, at the Prime Minister’s Office, the Acting CEO 'Ofa, was in a meeting but told us to call back after 3:00pm. Well, there was no response, but by 5.30pm she called to say that she could not confirm anything because the file was locked.
The names of the new Ministers have not been posted on the PMO website.
So the situation in Tonga today is that we have a Prime Minister and an unconfirmed Caretaker Government.