Lord Fakafanua has been elected as the new Prime Minister of Tonga, taking over from Dr. ‘Aisake Eke following a parliamentary vote that occurred after the elections held on November 20. The vote concluded with Fakafanua receiving 16 votes compared to Eke’s 10, marking a decisive win.
At just 40 years old, Fakafanua is notable for being only the second noble to hold the prime ministerial position since the 2010 constitutional reforms, which aimed to transfer more power to representatives elected by the public. Leading up to the vote, Fakafanua expressed a strong desire to unify the parliament, stressing the importance of serving the constituents’ needs across both nobles and people’s representatives.
In his acceptance address, Fakafanua highlighted the necessity for collaboration within Tonga’s legislative assembly. He expressed gratitude for the support from fellow MPs and urged for teamwork for the betterment of the nation. Dr. Eke, during his farewell speech, thanked his supporters and extended his best wishes to Fakafanua, assuring his continued commitment to the country’s development.
Fakafanua, who represents Ha’apai as one of two noble representatives, has an impressive political background, having entered parliament at the young age of 24 and becoming the youngest speaker of parliament by 27. His political roots extend through both his mother’s royal lineage and his father’s noble heritage.
The candidates for prime minister were officially presented by the interim speaker, Lord Tangi ‘o Vaonukonuka. Following the election, Dr. Eke will serve as caretaker prime minister until a formal appointment is made by King Tupou VI. In addition to forming a new cabinet—pending the King’s approval—Fakafanua will also play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Tonga’s governance.
In the parliament, Lord Vaea will take on the role of speaker, with Lord Tu’ihagaana serving as deputy speaker, both positions traditionally held by nobles. Dr. Eke’s brief term, which lasted less than a year, ended due to waning support, including from key cabinet members like deputy prime minister Taniela Fusimalohi and Paula Piukala. Notably, Piukala’s suspension during an anti-corruption investigation likely affected cabinet dynamics leading up to the vote.
As the new parliament gears up for its inaugural session, a pressing issue will be addressing the decline in voter turnout, which plummeted to 49.4 percent in the recent elections. This situation raises concerns, particularly with many eligible voters—including seasonal workers and students abroad—facing challenges in casting their votes. Pita Vuki, the Supervisor of Elections, has acknowledged the need for improvements to the voter roll’s accuracy and is exploring solutions for overseas voting to ensure broader participation.
This leadership transition offers a significant opportunity for Tonga to enhance collaborative efforts toward governance and electoral reforms, with the potential to boost civic engagement and strengthen democratic processes in the nation.