Acting Prime Minister, Samiu Kuita Vaipulu Photo: SPREP
Tonga's interim government is expected to remain in place until a new Cabinet is announced in several weeks.
The government announced on Monday, January 6, that it will continue in "caretaker mode" under the Acting Prime Minister, Samiu Kuita Vaipulu and the current cabinet ministers.
"During the caretaker period Government ministries, departments and agencies shall not make or enter into any new financial commitments by or on behalf of the Government and no new policies are to be made or implemented," an official statement said.
"The caretaker Government will continue until the legal appointment process for the Prime Minister 'Aisake Valu Eke and his new cabinet ministers is completed in accordance with the Act of the Constitution of Tonga."
This process is expected to be completed within the next few weeks.
The appointments of the current cabinet ministers will then be revoked.
"These arrangements are made pursuant to the Act of Constitution of Tonga, the Laws of Tonga and Government Policy Directives" the statement said.
Eke's office will make a public announcement once the new government is formed.
He won't be in power long enough to achieve much and is likely to be ousted by his predecessor Hu'akavameiliku Saiosi Sovaleni at the 2025 general election, a political commentator claims.
Tonga correspondent, Kalafi Moala said many believe that establishing a new government under Eke is a waste of time and money.
Moala said there's huge support for the former Prime Minister, who resigned on December 9 ahead of a vote of no confidence.
Moala said Sovaleni is popular and unchallenged in his constituency in Tongatapu, which is the largest in the country.
He believes that a new group will form, and the former prime minister will have enough support to be re-elected after the general election on November 30.
In an unusual move, King Tupou VI asked Eke to meet him in New Zealand last weekend to receive royal approval for his appointment.
The monarch was in Auckland for medical tests and Eke visited him at his home before returning to Nuku'alofa on Monday, January 6
Moala described it as unprecedented, "this is strange, I have never heard of a prime minister having to travel overseas to receive the King's approval," he said.
"I have no idea why it couldn't be done on the phone."
