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Prime Minister of Tonga

Prime Minister’s Office in Nuku’alofa

The prime minister of Tonga (historically referred to as the premier) is the country's head of government. Tonga is a monarchy with the king, currently Tupou VI, former prime minister, as head of state.[2] The current prime minister is Siaosi Sovaleni, who was elected on 15 December 2021 and appointed on 27 December 2021.[3] Sovaleni was elected with 16 votes.[4][5][6]

The office of prime minister was established by the Constitution of 1875, whose article 51 stipulates that the prime minister and other ministers are appointed and dismissed by the king.[7]

The prime minister is assisted by the deputy prime minister.

2000s democratization

During the 2000s, the country experienced an increase in democratization. In March 2006, King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV appointed Feleti Sevele, a moderate member of the Human Rights and Democracy Movement, as prime minister. Sevele was the first commoner to hold this post since Shirley Waldemar Baker in 1881. All the prime ministers since Baker had been members of the nobility, or even the royal family.[8]

In July 2008, King George Tupou V announced more substantial democratic reforms. He would abandon the essential part of his executive powers, and would henceforth follow the custom of monarchies such as the United Kingdom, exercising his prerogatives only with the prime minister's advice. In addition, he would no longer appoint the prime minister anyone he wished, but would appoint a member of the Legislative Assembly to be elected by the Legislative Assembly.[9][10][11]

List of premiers/prime ministers of Tonga (1876–1879)

Timeline

Siaosi SovaleniPōhiva TuʻiʻonetoaSemisi SikaʻAkilisi PōhivaSialeʻataongo TuʻivakanōFeleti SeveleTupou VIBaron VaeaFatafehi TuʻipelehakeTāufaʻāhau Tupou IVSolomone Ula AtaViliami Tungī MailefihiTevita TuʻivakanoSione Tupou MateialonaSiaosi Tuʻi PelehakeSiosateki VeikuneSiaosi TukuʻahoShirley Waldemar BakerTēvita ʻUnga

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Later King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV.
  2. ^ Later King Tupou VI.

References

  1. ^ "New Public Service Remuneration Structure Approved by the Government of Tonga". www.mic.gov.to.
  2. ^ "The Executive government ", Tonga government
  3. ^ "King Tupou VI appoints new Prime Minister". Matangi Tonga. 28 December 2021. Archived from the original on 28 December 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Emotional, Siaosi Sovaleni elected PM Designate". Matangi Tonga. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  5. ^ "MPs choose Siaosi Sovaleni as new prime minister". Kaniva Tonga. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  6. ^ "Two nominees for PM Designate revealed, meeting underway". Matangi Tonga. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  7. ^ Constitution of Tonga Archived 19 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "Tonga gets first elected leader", BBC, 13 February 2006
  9. ^ "Tonga's king to cede key powers", BBC, 29 July 2008
  10. ^ "Tongan king promises 'more democracy' for Pacific island", The Guardian, 29 July 2008
  11. ^ "King of Tonga prepares to give up power", The Telegraph, 11 July 2010

External links