'Sad news': Emotional PM resigns

Tonga's Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni has resigned, the parliament office confirmed on Monday.

The announcement came ahead of a vote of no confidence against his leadership, which was expected to be tabled in Parliament in the morning.

However, the motion was neither submitted nor discussed in the House during the session.

During the session's opening, a teary-eyed prime minister addressed the House.

He had previously survived a vote of no confidence in September last year.

Tongatapu 5 representative Dr Aisake Eke, who submitted the motion last year, also introduced a vote of no confidence against the prime minister last month.

Hu'akavameiliku (centre) at the Pacific Islands Forum in August. Photo/File

In his speech on Monday, the prime minister was emotional and made several attempts to regain his composure.

He acknowledged his familial ties with Eke and urged him to continue his work.

Hu'akavameiliku paid tribute to the Nobles of the House and bid an emotional farewell to his electorate of Tongatapu 3.

'Sad news for the PM'

New Zealand Tongan community leader Pakilau o Aotearoa Manase Lua expressed gratitude to the outgoing prime minister for his service.

Speaking to PMN News, Pakilau emphasised the need for strong leadership amid geopolitical tensions in the Pacific region.

Pakilau o Aotearoa Manase Lua. Photo/Manase Lua Facebook

"There's a lot of political stirrings and manoeuvring in our Pacific region, not just in the micro level with our smaller Pacific nations, but the big players like China and America must again and trying to gain influence," he said.

"It's sad news for the Prime Minister. There's got to be some impact of that as well.

"We need really strong leadership at this time and to be honest, I think he probably struggled a wee bit with some of the poor followers because he was holding quite a few way if I recall he was holding a lot of portfolios.

"So it might have been better for him to focus on foreign affairs and maybe relinquish some of the other ones to others.

"But first of all, I just want to say that it's unfortunate, and he's probably disappointed at this outcome."

King of Tonga Tupou VI. Photo/supplied

Following the session, Parliament was adjourned for lunch, and a press conference was scheduled for later.

When Parliament reconvened at 2pm, a letter from King Tupou VI was read, revealing that the Tongan King had accepted the prime minister's resignation.

According to Tonga's Consitution, members of the Legislative Assembly will be given 14 days to decide on nominations for Prime Minister.

That will be decided on 24 December.

Hu'akavameiliku's resignation also follows the recent departure of Lord Tu'iafitu as the Minister of Lands.