By Matangi Tonga reporters

The top seats in Tonga's Legislative Assembly and government for the 2025-2029 parliamentary term, were secured by the King's Nobles today. The Prime Minister Designate, as well as the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, are all from the landed nobility, chosen during today's special meeting of the elected members of the House.

In Tonga, the two roles of Speaker and Deputy Speaker are exclusively elected by nobles from the table of the nobles in parliament.

The 17 People's Representative were present but were not allowed to nominate canidates or vote for these roles.

The Interim Speaker Lord Tangi 'o Vaonukonuka presided over the proceedings.

Shortly after the announcement of Lord Fakafanua as the PM Designate today, the election for both  Speaker and the Deputy Speaker was swift, concluding in under two minutes.

Lord Vaea was nominated by Lord Tu’ilakepa for Speaker, and was elected unopposed.

The Deputy Speaker, Lord Tu’iha’anga was nominated also by Lord Tu’ilakepa and was also elected unopposed.

Lord Vaea (Noble‘s Representative of Tongatapu 1) is a leading figure among the realm’s nobles. He is the brother of the Queen, and a brother-in-law to the King.

He entered parliament as an elected noble in the November 2010 General Election. He lost his seat in a toin-coss after a draw in 2017. Lor Vaea previously served as a Cabinet Minister, at various times, holding the portfolios of Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forests and Fisheries , Minister of Training, Employment, Youth and Sports, and more recently, Minister of Internal Affairs.

Tonga has 33 hereditary noble titles and five Life Peers who vote amongst themselves for the nine Nobles’ Representatives to the House, in a separate election.

New Cabinet to be named

As the new leader of the government, Lord Fakafanua will name his Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers in the following days. He has the privilege of appointing up to four unelected members to his cabinet.

Lord Fakafanua's brother-in-law,, Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala was given top ministerial roles in the outgoing government of Hon. Dr. 'Aisake Eke.