Cabinet lineup

There are two women, three nobles, three independents and five former members of the late 'Akilisi Pohiva's party.

Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa was voted in as prime minister on Friday, after he and three other members of the Democratic Party had crossed the floor.

In his campaign speech to the Legislature he said his aim was to end political divisions in Tonga.

Of the two women named, one is from outside of the Legislature.

She is Dr 'Amelia Tu'ipulotu, who heads nurse training at Vaiola Hospital and becomes the new Minister of Health.

Dr. Uata is not an elected Member of Parliament.

According to the Constitution, the Prime Minister may appoint no more than four cabinet ministers from outside Parliament.

Pōhiva named Tongatapu 2 MP Sēmisi Lafu Sika as Deputy Prime Minister when his lineup was submitted to the palace office yesterday.

Appointment of Prime Minister

The submission was made after His Majesty King Tupou VI appointed Pōhiva as Tonga’s Prime Minister until 2021.

As Kaniva News reported earlier, the line-up was expected to be announced before Christmas, but after Pohiva was informed the king would probably appoint him for longer than expected, he cancelled the planned announcement.

He said the Palace office would probably process the appointment ceremony on January 2.

Pohiva said it was normal procedure that the announcement of the new cabinet could be made public after the Prime Minister was appointed by the king.

“It is better to leave it until His Majesty would formally appoint me,” he said.