Cabinet Delay Raises Questions as Prime Minister Holidays Overseas
As Tongans wait for the announcement of a new Cabinet, speculation is growing over what is causing the delay — and whether early problems are already emerging for the new Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua had earlier indicated his Cabinet would be announced before Christmas. That has not happened, and no official explanation has been given.
In the absence of clear information, social media and talkback discussion have filled the gap. Much of the debate centres on whether some MPs who supported the Prime Minister’s election may be unsuitable for Cabinet roles due to past controversies or unresolved matters.
None of these issues has been formally linked to Cabinet appointments, and no findings have been made by courts or oversight bodies. However, the public discussion has intensified following unconfirmed reports that a proposed list of ministers was submitted to King Tupou VI and later returned to the Prime Minister.
There has been no confirmation that the King rejected any nominations. Still, the reports have fuelled questions about whether concerns were raised behind the scenes.
This creates a potential problem for the Prime Minister. He previously said his Cabinet would be chosen only from MPs who supported him. If any of those MPs cannot be appointed, he may be forced to look beyond his original support base — a move that could cause tension within Parliament.
The delay has also coincided with the Christmas period. The Prime Minister is spending the holidays in New Zealand with his family, while the King is spending Christmas on ʻEua. While this is not unusual, it may partly explain why no announcement has yet been made, given the constitutional steps involved in forming a Cabinet.
For now, the lack of clarity has allowed rumours to grow. Political observers say the longer the silence continues, the harder it becomes to control the narrative.
Whether this delay is simply procedural — or a sign of deeper challenges — should become clearer in the coming days. What is certain is that this first major decision will set the tone for the new Prime Minister’s leadership.
