Results for Tonga Prime Minister

Tonga's new Prime Minister Designate, Hon. Dr 'Aisake Eke is currently addressing the House after winning a ballot 16 votes to 8 votes, to defeat the rival nominee Dr Viliami Latu. There were 24 total votes in the secret ballot in the Legislative Assembly of Tonga this morning. Dr Eke is a former Minister of Finance, with a PhD in business administration from an Australian university.

Rev. Dr Palu (Letters, 11 Feb.) makes a crucial mistake in asserting that the King has executive authority over government, as the King does not. This is a strange, and volatile situation. Contrary to what Rev Dr Palu implies, it would be better for Tonga if the King was to cooperate with the PM, not the other way around. - Max K.

The Prime Minister, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, arrived in Tonga this afternoon, 16 February, from New Zealand, after being away for almost three weeks. He has not resigned his defence portfolio after the King withdrew his confidence and consent to his appointment two weeks ago. The Prime Minister has been absent from the Legislative Assembly for over three months.

The high cost of tuition fees for Pacific university students and the critical importance of reciprocal visa waivers for the people of Forum member countries, were among issues raised by the Prime Minister Hon. Hu’akavameiliku with Pacific Leaders, during his four-day visit to Fiji last week to attend the 2023 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Special Retreat.

Tonga's Prime Minister, Hon. Hu'akavameiliku, has gone into home isolation after he tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, with the Prime Minister's Office stating that, “his symptoms are mild”.

Tonga has many urgent needs and three major concerns for our new Prime Minister Designate, Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni, are health, illegal drugs and school dropouts. “There's a lot [of concerns] and that is why it's important to have a good team to work with,” he said following his election today. By Pesi Fonua.

Tonga's Prime Minister's Office has called a media conference for 4:00pm today, as the capital is widely anticipating a National COVID-19 lockdown to be announced, starting tonight. Domestic air services to Vava'u Group were cancelled today, and the last flight from Tongatapu to Ha'apai Group will be at 3:30pm, according to Lulutai Airlines.

The Lavulavus’ court cases do not enhance the government’s reputation and the way the political elite in the Kingdom operate. Sad to say Prime Minister, that in your attempt to make light of the Lavulavus’ guilty verdict, you cunningly brought to the attention of the public and the world, that other schools were involved in these criminal activities. It is now your duty as the PM of Tonga to get a full investigation going. You owe it to all foreign aid donors, to explain what Tonga has done with the funds; and you owe it to every school that you have now accused, by giving them a chance to clear their names and set the record straight. - Senolita Swan

A National Budget of $618.3 million pa'anga, an increase of $28.7 million on the previous year, was tabled into parliament, by the Tonga government this morning, 24 May. The PM said they have only three weeks to pass the budget before they go away to 'Eua for the opening of a military camp, church conferences and feasting. From the House by Pesi Fonua.