Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele, has been appointed as Tonga's Acting Prime Minister, only a month after he entered Cabinet following the March General Election.

Dr Sevele, who is Tonga's new Minister of Labour and Commerce, was yesterday appointed by the Prince Regent, Crown Prince Tupouto...’a as Tonga...’s acting Prime Minister, effective today, April 21, until the Prime Minister Prince ...‘Ulukalala Lavaka Ata returns to Tonga from overseas.

The Information Unit of the Prime Minister's office could not confirm how long the Prime Minister will be away from Tonga.

It has been a climb in record time by Dr Feleti Sevele, who was elected by the people of Tongatapu as their no. 3 People's Representative to the Tongan parliament on March 17. HM King Taufa...’ahau Tupou IV then appointed him as the new Minister of Labour, Commerce and Industries on March 21, in line with a new policy whereby two cabinet ministers are appointed from elected members.