Prime Minister Survives Vote of No Confidence Amid Controversy
Prime Minister Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni successfully overcame a Vote of No Confidence (VONC) lodged against him by Tongatapu 5 representative, Hon. Aisake Eke, and backed by nine other independent MPs, including two nobles.
The two-day reading of the charges, numbering 46 in total, culminated with an unexpected twist. Sovaleni proposed a direct progression to the vote, referencing a private agreement made during a break with Hon. Aisake Eke to bypass further debate.
This motion, however, was met with resistance from several independent MPs. A spirited exchange ensued, with certain members, notably Noble Nuku, confronting the Prime Minister. Their main contention was that they should be granted an opportunity to discuss specific government responses, which they deemed as potentially misleading or incorrect.
During these deliberations, Hon. Piveni openly suggested that the Prime Minister might be “hiding something”, insinuating this as the reason he wished to avoid public debate on some of his statements.
After significant delays and consultations, the Speaker of the House sought advice from clerks and legal experts regarding the constitution’s interpretation. This was essential to ensure the proceedings adhered to legal and procedural correctness. The resolution was to allow the Prime Minister’s motion for a direct vote on the VONC. The final vote stood at 14 to 11, in favour of Prime Minister Sovaleni and his government.
