Tue Dec 24 06:51:12 UTC 2024: ## Tonga Elects Aisake Valu Eke as New Prime Minister

**Nuku’alofa, Tonga –** Aisake Valu Eke, a veteran politician and former finance minister, has been elected as Tonga’s new prime minister. He secured 16 votes in a parliamentary secret ballot on Tuesday, defeating Viliami Latu by a margin of eight votes. Eke’s victory follows the abrupt resignation of Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni two weeks ago, amid a power struggle with the Tongan royal family.

Eke, who will be sworn in officially in February, will serve until the next general election in November 2025. His tenure will be focused on navigating the nation’s economic challenges and political tensions. His previous experience as finance minister (2014-2017) may prove crucial in addressing Tonga’s substantial debt burden, which includes a significant loan from China’s export bank.

Sovaleni’s resignation, reportedly made “for the good of the country,” came hours before a no-confidence vote initiated by Eke. The resignation highlighted ongoing tensions between the Tongan monarchy and the elected government, a recurring theme since democratic reforms in 2010 shifted power away from the royal family. King Tupou VI, while retaining considerable authority, has seen his influence challenged in recent years.

Tonga, a tourism-dependent nation, faces significant challenges including recovery from the 2022 volcanic eruption and tsunami, the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the increasing threats of climate change. These issues, coupled with the nation’s debt, will be at the forefront of Eke’s agenda in the coming months.

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