In a special session of the Tongan parliament on Christmas Eve, Aisake Eke was elected as the country's new prime minister. This comes after his predecessor resigned ahead of a no-confidence vote by lawmakers. Eke, a former finance minister, won the secret ballot by 16 votes to 8, defeating Trade Minister Viliame Latu.
Tonga, a South Pacific island nation with a population of 105,000 people, is facing challenges such as the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, climate change threats, and a recent volcanic eruption and tsunami in 2022 that caused significant damage across the country's 171 islands.
The resignation of Eke's predecessor, Siaosi Sovaleni, followed tensions between the government and Tonga’s monarchy. Eke, who initiated the no-confidence vote, will be officially sworn in at the next parliament session in February.
Tonga's political landscape has seen shifts in power dynamics since reforms in 2010 transferred powers from the royal family and nobles to regular citizens. The relationship between the monarchy and elected lawmakers remains a complex issue in the country.
Eke, who previously held high-profile positions and worked on financial reform programs for Tonga at the World Bank, returned to parliament in 2021. His election as prime minister marks a new chapter for Tonga as it navigates economic challenges and political reforms.
Looking ahead, Eke faces the task of managing the constitutional ambiguities and the monarchy's role in government operations. The support for the monarchy in Tonga adds another layer of complexity to the country's governance structure.
In other news, Tonga recently secured the bid to host the 2031 Pacific Games, a significant sporting event in Oceania. This decision comes after Tonga controversially withdrew from hosting the 2019 Pacific Games.
