By Katalina Siasau

On Monday, Interim Speaker Lord Tangi 'o Vaonukonuka, will preside over the election of Tonga's new Prime Minister by the 26 new Members of Parliament, at 10:00 am in the Parliament Chamber in Nuku'alofa.

The Interim Speaker appointed by the King, will oversee the election process, including the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker for the 2025-2029 parliamentary term.

The nominations for Prime Minister Designate will close on Friday, 12 December, at 4:30 pm, with two candidates nominated for the top role, as of Wednesday 10 December.

Outgoing caretaker PM

Caretaker Prime Minister Hon. Dr 'Aisake Valu Eke (65) served as Tonga's 19^th Prime Minister for less than a year, having been appointed by HM King Tupou VI on 22 January this year.

Dr. Eke was elected Prime Minister Designate in parliament, on 24 December 2024, after he lodged a successful motion for a vote of no confidence that led to the resignation of former PM Hon. Hu'akavameiliku.

He then defeated the other PM nominee Hon. Viliami Latu in a debate and a secret ballot.

Eke held the ministerial roles of Minister for Finance, Fisheries, and Prisons.

In the General Election last month, 20 November, Dr. Eke retained his Tongatapu 5 seat with 72.93% of votes in his constituency – the highest polling candidate.

Hon Dr. Eke has serving nearly two decades in the public service, at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning. He was the Secretary for Finance and CEO for Finance for several years before he resigned and started his political career in 2010. He was appointed as Minister for Finance from 2014 to 2017.

Dr. Eke holds a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration from the University of Southern Queensland, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Monash University in Australia, and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Accounting and Economics from the University of the South Pacific in Fiji.

As Prime Minister, in January this year, he appointed the unelected Crown Prince, HRH Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala to two major ministerial roles, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and for His Majesty's Armed Forces. He also appointed three other unelected members including two women, Hon. Dr 'Ana 'Akau'ola for Health, and Hon. Sinaitakala Tu'itahi for Internal Affairs, and Hon. Siosiua Halavatau for Agriculture.

There were no noble members in his cabinet.

However, Dr. Eke saw turmoil in his cabinet at the November 2025 General Election, with two ministers—Dr. 'Uhilamoelangi Fasi (Education and Lands) and Mo'ale Finau (Tourism and Justice), failing to win re-election.

Four cabinet members retained their seats, including Deputy PM Hon. Dr Taniela Fusimalohi, Hon. Mateni Tapueluelu, Hon. Kapelieli Lanumata, and Hon. Piveni Piukala.

However, Dr. Eke recently suspended Piveni Piukala from all ministerial portfolios, including Police, Fire & Emergency Services, and Public Enterprises, due to an ongoing corruption investigation into serious allegations against the Cabinet Minister.

Former PM

Following the 2021 General Election, Hon. Hu'akavameiliku (Siaosi Sovaleni) (55) was elected Prime Minister Designate on 15 December 2021, and appointed PM by HM King Tupou VI on 28 December 2021.

Hu'akavameiliku (55) was appointed Prime Minister on 28 December 2021 by HM king Tupou VI.

His premiership faced tension when the King in Privy Council withdrew confidence for the appointments of Hu'akavameiliku himself as Minister of His Majesty's Armed Forces, and Hon. Fekitamoeloa 'Utoikamanu as Minister for Tourism, on 2 February 2024.

To this day, there has been no official reason for the King's withdrawal of confidence.

Although Hu'akavameiliku had met with the King in March 2024, for talks at the remote island of Niuafo'ou, he never revealed details of their conversations and referred to it as "private".

After months of tension, Hu'akavameiliku ultimately resigned ahead of a second Motion for a Vote of No Confidence in November 2024, lodged against him by Dr. Eke.

He had previously survived a no-confidence motion in September 2023.

Hu'akavameiliku was first elected to parliament in the November 2014 general election, and was Deputy Prime Minister from 2014-17.

He retained his Tongatapu 3 seat in the November 2025 General Election.

Long-serving MP Samiu Vaipulu lost his seat to newcomer Dr. 'Alani Tangitau.

Vaipulu had been the longest serving Member of Parliament, having been an MP since 1987-1989. He lost his seat in 1990 then regained it in 1993 until 2002. He was reelected to Parliament in 2005 until this year. He was an MP for 31 years. Most recently in Hu'akavameiliku's government, he served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Prisons.

The 2025 General Election saw six new faces among the 17 People’s Representatives, including former MP Semisi Sika who won the Tongatapu 2 seat.

There are also two new faces to the nine noble seats, Lord Ma'afu and Lord Ve'ehala.The 26 elected members of the Legislative Assembly are made up of 17 elected Peoples’ Representatives and nine Nobles’ Representatives.

Only one woman was elected in this General Election.