Tonga has elected 'Aisake Valu Eke as its new prime minister following a parliamentary vote held on December 24, 2024. Eke secured 16 votes against his opponent Viliami Latu, who received eight votes. This election comes two weeks after the resignation of former Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni, who stepped down amid a power struggle with the royal family.
Eke, a veteran politician and former finance minister, will assume office officially in February and serve until the next elections scheduled for November 2025. His predecessor, Sovaleni, resigned just hours before a no-confidence vote, citing the need to prioritize the nation's welfare.
The political landscape in Tonga has been tumultuous, particularly since the 2010 reforms that shifted power from the monarchy to elected officials. King Tupou VI, who retains significant authority, has been at the center of recent tensions, reflecting a growing divide between the monarchy and the government.
Tonga, with a population of approximately 105,000, continues to face challenges including recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change threats, and the aftermath of a devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami in 2022. The nation also contends with a substantial debt to China's export bank, amounting to about $130 million, which poses further economic challenges as repayment schedules intensify this year.