Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua.

With Prime Minister Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva and the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands (DPFI) in power, Tonga has to restructure its political system.

Tongan politics has come to a crossroads after HM King Tupou VI approved the reshuffled Tongan cabinet, proposed by the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister made it clear that he had decided to dismiss his Minister of Finance and National Planning, Dr ‘Aisake Eke, because he was an Independent Member of his Cabinet who abstained from voting on the recent motion for a Vote on No Confidence in the Prime Minister. Dr Eke had demonstrated that he was not part of the DPFI.

Even though the motion was rejected, it led to the PM's reshuffling of Cabinet. Injecting fresh blood to Cabinet has allowed the Prime Minister to further secure a majority of the members of his Cabinet affliated to his Political Party, the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands (DPFI).

Therefore, we can now say that a political party is in power.

The twelve members of the Cabinet are:

DPFI members:

1. Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva,
2. Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni,
3. Hon. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa,
4. Hon. Tevita Lavemaau,
5. Hon. Vuna Fa’otusia,
6. Hon. Semisi Fakahau,
7. Hon. Semisi Sika,
8. Hon. Penisimani Fifita, 
9. Hon. Mateni Tapueluelu.

Noble and independents:

1. Lord Ma’afu Tuku’aulahi,
2. Dr Saia Piukala
3. Hon. Poasi Tei.

The fact that Tonga ended up with a political party in power is significant, because under the political reform of 2010, political parties were not part of the reform structure that was introduced. When candidates registered for election, they were registered as individuals. Of course, during their campaigns the DPFI affiliates identified themselves as members of the party.

Under the political reform that was introduced in 2010, the structure of the Tongan government was to be made up of nine Nobles elected by the 34 Nobles of the Realm and 17 People’s Representatives elected by the Commoners. These 26 members of Parliament were to then elect a Prime Minister from among themselves. After that the PM selected his Cabinet Ministers from the elected members.

The fact that we now have a political party in power, means that Tonga’s democratisation process will have to be restructured to accommodate political parties.

After the November 2014 election, the Prime Minister formed a 12-man Cabinet with six independent members (1 Noble and 5 People's Reps) and six DPFI party members.

The Prime Minister on March 7 confirmed that he removed the Minister of Finance, because he was not a party member. This can be seen as a warning to the remaining three independents in Cabinet.