2 Dec 2010

Tonga Democratic Party to hold rally amid post-election lobbying

6:49 pm on 2 December 2010

The chances of forming a new government in Tonga made up of people's representatives appear to be diminishing.

The Friendly Islands Democratic Party which won 12 of the 26 seats, in last week's historic election is not assured of support of the other five popularly elected MPs.

The nine noble MPs are considering forming their own grouping and could join forces with the five independents.

Our correspondent, Mateni Tapueluelu, says the Democratic Party leader Akilisi Pohiva is planning a public rally tomorrow to inform people about the process:

"There would now be an open campaign out in the public for people to know what is really happening, what their representatives are doing. Because this is the kind of campaign that is not open to people, it's a negotiation behind the scenes, and Akilisi wants to be transparent about it and just tell people what's happening. Some of the People's Representatives are now moving away from the people to the nobility."

Mateni Tapueluelu