Prime Minister 'Aisake Eke, right, was formally sworn in by King Tupou VI. Photo: TBC
Tonga's new prime minister will finally have his Cabinet sworn in this week.
Prime Minister 'Aisake Eke was formally sworn in by King Tupou VI last week.
However, the swearing-in of his Cabinet, which was meant to be on the same day as the prime minister's official appointment by the King, was delayed until this week.
In the meantime, the former Cabinet remains in office.
There's been a lot of interest by Tongan's living in the Kingdom and those overseas as to who will be in the new Cabinet.
Political commentator Kalafi Moala said the delay in forming a government is clearly due to the King Tupou's heavy involvement in the process.
Moala said the monarch appears to have much more say than his predecessor in the appointment of government ministers.
Since the democratic reforms of 2010, prime ministers have been elected by parliament and they would immediately appoint a cabinet.
'Eke, an independent like his predecessor, won the top job following a secret vote of MPs on December 24th.
Hu'akavameilliku Siaosi Sovaleni resigned last month ahead of a vote of no confidence in his government.
Eke has a doctorate in economics and was a public servant before entering politics.
New Pacific Islands Forum chair
Eke met with the Pacific Islands Forum secretary general Baron Waqa in Nuku'alofa last week in his role as the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) chair.
Waga and his delegation briefed Eke on the region's key priorities leading up to the PIF Leaders Meeting, which will be held in September in Solomon Islands.
