30 Sep 2019

Tonga elects new prime minister

From , 6:02 am on 30 September 2019

Tonga's Parliament on Friday elected a new prime minister to replace the late Prime Minister, 'Akilisi Pohiva.

Mr Pohiva died earlier this month in Auckland.

His replacement is his former finance minister, Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa, who got 15 votes in the legislature, with the other candidate, acting Prime Minister Semisi Sika getting eight.

Our correspondent, Kalafi Moala, told Don Wiseman that Mr Tu'i'onetoa's switch earlier this week from 'Akilisi Pohiva's Democratic Party was the key to his victory.

But he says Mr Tu'i'onetoa was never a strong Pohiva supporter.

Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa

Photo: Tonga government