Tongan King appoints new Prime Minister

Almost a month after being elected as the Prime Minister Designate last month, Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke has officially taken on the role.

On Wednesday, he was appointed by the King of Tonga as the 19th Prime Minister of the island nation in a private ceremony.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese congratulated Eke in a Facebook post.

Albanese expressed his eagerness to engage with his new Tongan counterpart “to support your priorities and to contribute together to the peace and prosperity of the [Pacific] region”.

Former PM of Tonga Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni and Australia's PM Anthony Albanese. Photo/Ala Vailala

Eke took on the role following the shock resignation of Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni who stepped down ahead of a vote of no confidence.

According to Tonga’s Constitution, the Prime Minister is chosen by the Legislative Assembly, which includes both the People’s Representatives and Nobles’ Representatives, through a majority vote or nomination.

The selected candidate’s name is then presented to the King, who formally appoints the nominee.

Eke was the first candidate nominated for Prime Minister, receiving support from MPs ʻUhilamoelangi Fasi and Taniela Fusimalohi.

Eke faced competition from Dr Viliami Uasike Latu, the People’s Representative of Vava’u 16, who could have made history as the first Prime Minister from an outer-island electorate if elected.

A career public servant, Eke served as the Chief Executive of Tonga’s Ministry of Finance before resigning to enter politics in 2010.

He held the position of Minister for Finance from 2014 to 2017 under former Prime Minister and late ‘Akilisi Pōhiva’s government.

Born in the village of Vao’tu’u in the Western district of Tongatapu, Eke earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Business Administration from the University of Southern Queensland, where he conducted a study on the quality of service in the public sector in Tonga.

Dr Eke and family pictured with the King of Tonga. Photo/BroadCom FM87.5 Broadasting Facebook

Tonga is scheduled to hold its general elections this November, and Hu’akavameiliku has not ruled out the possibility of running again for the position of Prime Minister.

Eke is expected to announce his Cabinet later this week.