Tonga's opposition leader and the leader of the Democratic Party, Akilisi Pohiva, says the general feeling in the country is the government has lost the trust of the people and that is why the party plans a vote of no confidence.
A motion for a vote of no confidence, which has not previously been possible in Tongan politics, was presented in parliament on Monday.
Mr Pohiva says a vote is unlikely before next week.
He says he expects the backing of some of the nobles' representatives in parliament but he says whether they win or not the vote is about displaying principle.
"It is about time for us to show up to the public, to show to the public that as Representatives of the People it is our duty to the public to do the right thing. And the right thing is to move a vote of no confidence because the majority of the people and the Representatives of the People as well have lost our confidence in the current government."
Akilisi Pohiva.
