Tonga's new PM won't be in power long enough to achieve much, claims political expert

Friday, 3 January 2025, 2:25 pm
Article: RNZ

Margot Staunton, Senior Journalist

Tonga's new Prime Minister won't be in power long enough to achieve much and is likely to be ousted by his predecessor at the 2025 general election, claims a political expert.

Tonga correspondent, Kalafi Moala said many believe that establishing a new government under 'Aisake Eke is a waste of time and money.

Moala said there's huge support for the former Prime Minister, Hu'akavameiliku Saiosi Sovaleni, who resigned on December 9 ahead of a vote of no confidence.

Meanwhile, in an unusual move, King Tupou VI has asked Eke to meet him in New Zealand this weekend to receive royal approval for his apppointment.

The monarch is in Auckland for medical tests and Eke is visiting him at his home before returning on Monday to form a Cabinet.

"This is strange, I have never heard of a prime minister having to travel overseas to receive the King's approval," Moala said.

"I have no idea why it couldn't be done on the phone."

Moala said Solaveni is popular and unchallenged in his constitutency in Tongatapu, which is the largest in the country.

He believes that a new group will form and the former prime minister will have enough support to be re-elected after the general election on November 30.

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