Tonga’s Prime Minister to Face Second Vote of No Confidence

Tonga’s prime minister, Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, is set to face another vote of no confidence in parliament on Monday. The challenge has been brought by MP ‘Aisake Eke, who claims to have the numbers to topple the government.

The Background

The first vote of no confidence against Hu’akavameiliku was held last September and was defeated 14 votes to 11. However, this time around, Eke is confident that he has more support from his colleagues. “Although there are still one or two that are unsure, there seems to be very strong [confidence] that the vote of no confidence will go their way,” said RNZ Pacific’s Tonga correspondent Kalafi Moala.

The Strained Relationship

The relationship between Eke and Hu’akavameiliku has been strained in recent times. According to Kalafi Moala, there is a sense that the King has taken sides against Hu’akavameiliku, which has led to this latest challenge.

“But to me, the fact that there are nobles involved shows you that they feel comfortable that the vote of no confidence is not something that [the King] is against,” said Moala. This suggests that Eke may have the support of some members of the nobility, which could put pressure on Hu’akavameiliku.

The Timing of the Motion

Hu’akavameiliku has questioned the timing of the motion, just 11 months before the next election. He also argued that the vote-of-no-confidence mechanism is not being used in the manner the framers of the Kingdom’s constitution intended.

In an earlier statement, Hu’akavameiliku stated: “The timing of this motion is highly irregular and may be seen as a thinly veiled attempt to remove me from office in a most un-democratic way.” However, Eke claims that he has the numbers to bring down the government, regardless of when it happens.

The Next Steps

The fate of Hu’akavameiliku’s government hangs in the balance as the vote of no confidence gets underway. If the motion is successful, it could lead to a change in leadership and potentially even a new election. However, for now, it remains to be seen whether Eke has enough support to bring down the government.

Conclusion

The situation in Tonga continues to be volatile, with the prime minister facing another challenge to his leadership. As the vote of no confidence gets underway, one thing is clear: the future of Tonga’s government hangs in the balance.