Tonga’s Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni announced his resignation earlier today, just hours before a scheduled vote of no confidence.
Addressing Parliament, Sovaleni said, “The government is still in the right hands,” expressing confidence in the country’s future leadership.
The former prime minister described his decision as a step to prioritize Tonga’s best interests. “It’s better to just leave,” he told RNZ Pacific.
Sovaleni added that he supports whoever succeeds him, saying, “Whoever the new prime minister is going to be will do a great job given that we only have another 10 months before the elections.”
Asked about the political tensions earlier this year, particularly the King’s withdrawal of confidence in his foreign affairs and defense portfolios, Sovaleni admitted he had limited understanding of the reasons behind it. “We still provide respect to His Majesty,” he said.
Reflecting on his tenure, which began in 2021, Sovaleni acknowledged the challenges he faced, including managing post-COVID recovery and hosting the Pacific Islands Forum. “I appreciate the thoughts and prayers,” he said.
As Parliament prepares to elect a new leader on December 24, Sovaleni looks forward to resting and exploring ways to contribute to Tonga’s development.
“A good night’s rest would be a nice thing to do,” the 54-year old Sovaleni said.
Source: RNZ