In a dramatic political turn, Tonga’s Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni has announced his resignation.
The Prime Minister read out his resignation while the discussions surrounding his vote of no confidence were taking place in parliament.
The Prime Minister was visibly emotional and repeatedly attempted to compose himself.
Using figurative expressions in Tongans he surprised the House by asking the Speaker to allow him to carry the burdens of the Oppositions concerns.
He said: “Te u fakafisi atu mei he palēmia ‘o Tonga,” which means he is resigning from the prime ministerial role today according to the constitution Clause 50 (A), Section C.
He said his resignation was “effective immediately”.
The parliamentary session was streamed live.
It has been revealed that seven motions were submitted as part of the Prime Minister’s confidence vote prior to his resignation.
Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu strongly opposed the motions, declaring them “invalid” amid lawmakers engaging in extensive debates about the implications of the vote, which has been a topic of interest since last month.
The Prime Minister previously said the motion could potentially impact the current government and its stability, and he questioned the motive as there were only 11 months remaining before the next general election next year.
Meanwhile, speaking to RNZ Pacific after stepping down, Sovaleni said “this is the best way forward for Tonga”.
Sovaleni, who quit from the top job on Monday believes “the government is still in the right hands”.
Hu’akavameiliku resigned after delivering a teary-eyed statement in parliament. He told RNZ Pacific soon after stepping-down that “it’s better to just leave”.
He was set to face the second no-confidence vote, brought by one of the 26 MPs in the legislature, ‘Aisake Eke, less than a year before the 2025 polls.
“Whoever the new prime minister is going to be will do a great job given that we only have another 10 months before the elections,” the former prime minister told RNZ Pacific.
It is unclear who will emerge as the new leader of government. Hu’akavameiliku said the parliament will put forward a name and the MPs – 17 elected by the people and 9 nobles – will vote in the new PM.
When asked whether his decision to resign was influenced by differences between the Crown and the government earlier this year, Hu’akavameiliku said: “It could be, we really don’t know”.
“It’s normal to [have] a differences in views on certain things, [but] I’m not sure whether that’s the reason.”
He admitted that until today he remains in the dark with “very little knowledge” on the why King Tupou VI, via the Palace Office, took away the defence and foreign affairs portfolios.
“But we still provide respect to His Majesty. Whatever we do, we always consider that relationship. So maybe you can ask someone else.”
He said there will always be people opposing the work the prime minister is responsible to carry out.
“I appreciate the thoughts and the prayers, those that reach out to me, supporting some of the work that we actually undertook.
Asked what is next, he said: “A good night rest would be a nice thing do to.”
“To sit back, relax, and reflect and hopefully continue contributing to the development of Tonga.”
AUT senior lecturer and a former policy advisor at the Pacific Islands Forum, Sione Tekiteki told RNZ Pacific there is a lot of pressure that comes with leading a country.
He said while the decision to resign “probably wasn’t easy”, Hu’akavameiliku’s decision must be respected.
Tekiteki believes he was the right person “to deal with a lot of issues” faced by the island.
“To be frank, he took over the mantle of leadership and he’s had numerous challenges to navigate.
“”Whether it’s Covid, the aftermath of Covid, the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’pai eruption, including taking leadership with what has transpired in Pacific Islands Forum this year.
“I do note that with a lot of those things, it does take its toll on you. So, I guess on the positive side, you can look forward to some much needed rest,” he added
