Eke and Sovaleni leave PM bids to Parliament as Tonga heads to polls

As Tongans head to the polls on Thursday, both Prime Minister Dr ʻAisake Eke and former leader Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni say they will leave their political futures to Parliament.

But neither man is ruling out a return to the position of prime minister.

Speaking with PMN News, Prime Minister Eke says he will not personally put his name forward for the role, but is open to being reinstated by Parliament if they choose.

“I give it to the members who they decide to put their name in. I don't want to put my name, I want to listen to them and if they want me to come back again, yes. If not, I'm happy,” Eke says

Former Prime Minister Sovaleni, who was removed in a vote of no confidence late last year, also says he will respect the process of the new Parliament.

While he avoided making any direct declaration of interest, he confirms he is open to discussions once the election results are in.

Tonga will hold its general elections on Thursday from 9am to 4pm. Photo/PMN News/Ala Vailala

“I'm open for the discussion in Parliament on who should be representing us in government, and who should be in parliament. It's all about what we can do. How can we make a difference?”

When asked if he still stands by earlier comments that he wouldn’t rule out running for Prime Minister, Sovaleni says his priority now is winning his constituency. “Whatever parliament decides, we will see how it goes from there.”

Prime Minister Eke took office in December 2024 and reflects on his short tenure by emphasising his administration’s focus on strengthening public services, accelerating major infrastructure projects, and unlocking resources for the private sector.

King of Tonga (left) and Prime Minister Dr 'Aisake Eke (right). Photo/Supplied

“I know coming into this position is not an easy task. There's a responsibility for the whole country. And when we come in, we just look at those things that I think we could do to improve the situations where we pick up the situation.”

Eke highlights several achievements, including extending government service hours for the public, restarting the long-planned lagoon bridge project, and resolving a major legal dispute between the Reserve Bank and Tonga Development Bank.

His government also appointed a new Chief Eexcutive Officer for the Tonga Development Bank to reboot the institution’s role in financing economic growth.

Eke says one of the most important decisions in his first budget was to channel more capital into the local economy, directing significantly more resources towards the private sector, including T$56 million pa’anga (NZ$39.2 million) with T$30m (NZ$21m).

He also points to new business-development grants for young entrepreneurs, concessional loans for students, and an expanded investment in community health centres to reduce pressure on Vaiola Hospital.

Sovaleni, who was prime minister for three years from December 2021, reflects on the crises that defined his leadership: the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Haʻapai disaster, the tsunami, the ashfall, and the reopening of Tonga’s borders during Covid-19.

Listen to Dr 'Aisake Eke's full interview below.

“We always joke about the fact that when we started, we had a baptism of fire and water. We had the volcanic eruption and the tsunami in the first month, January of 2022. And then we were hit with Covid-19,” he says.

Sovaleni says hosting the Pacific Islands Forum in 2024 was one of the proudest moments of his administration, as it showcased Tongan resilience and community spirit.

On the campaign trail, Sovaleni outlines his four key priorities: safety and security, education and social development, climate resilience, and economic stability. He warns that unemployment and the loss of workers to seasonal labour schemes continue to hurt local businesses.

“The seasonal workers programme has been helping, but in turn it actually has some negative impact on our private sector and our small businesses. Most of our able-bodied men and women are down in New Zealand and Australia.”

Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni resigned from Prime Minister last year in December. Photo/Supplied

Access to education remains a key concern for Sovaleni. He is keen to reduce dropout rates and keep students in the classroom, where they are less vulnerable to crime and social risks. “We should invest more on the youth,” he says.

In Tonga, the Prime Minister is chosen by the 26-member Parliament, with both People’s Representatives and Noble Representatives casting votes to decide the leader.

Two of the island kingdom’s most influential nobles have emerged as surprise contenders for Prime Minister - Speaker of Parliament, Lord Fakafanua, and former Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano.

MN News Political Reporter 'Alakihihifo Vailala is in Nuku'alofa. PMN Coverage of Tonga Election 2025 is brought to you by the Pacific Business Trust - building strong futures, together.