Tonga’s new prime minister
Photo: UN / youtube
By Lopeti Senituli
Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke was elected Prime Minister of Tonga on 24 December 2024, defeating Dr Viliami Uasike Latu, the other candidate, by 16 votes to 8 in a secret ballot.
The election resulted from the shock resignation of Siaosi Sovaleni Hu’akavameiliku on 9 December, pre-empting a discussion and ballot on the second vote of no confidence (VONC) in his government in the third year of his four-year term.
There are 26 elected members of parliament, 17 Peoples’ Representatives and nine Nobles’ Representatives. On 24 December, one Nobles’ Representative, Prince Kalaniuvalu-Fotofili, was absent and a second,…