26 Sep 2019

Tonga parliament to elect new PM on Friday

8:10 pm on 26 September 2019

Tonga's parliament will meet on Friday to elect a new prime minister from two candidates.

The vote follows the death of prime minister 'Akilisi Pohiva, whose state funeral was held last week.

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Photo: Twitter / @jennymarcroft

The two candidates are Mr Pohiva's deputy, the acting prime minister Semisi Sika, and the finance minister, Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa.

Mr Pohiva's family have endorsed Mr Sika for the role, with his daughter saying her late father had met with Mr Sika shortly before his death.