Tongaâs Democratic Party has obtained the support of three independents and Sione Vuna Faâotusia has signed the partyâs Memorandum of Understanding.
Democrat leader âAkilisi Pohiva told Kaniva News this morning the party now had 12 parliamentarians on side and would seek the support of two more independents ahead of next Tuesdayâs vote for the Prime Ministership.
Pohiva said Saia Piukala, Vuna Faâotusia and âEtuate Lavulavu had agreed to support him and the Party.
Pohiva said Faâotusia was a member of his Party, but had agreed to run as an independent. He said Faâotusia signed their MOU last week.
If they gained control of the government, Faâotusia had agreed to become Minister of Justice, âEtuate Lavulavu would take up Infrastructure portfolio and Saia Piukala would become Minister of Health.
When asked if he would support the independents if they wanted his partyâs help in getting the number they needed to propose an independent MP as Prime Minister, Pohiva said: âThere is no way they can do that.â
âWe all agreed last week to stick to our MOU and no one will support the nobility or the independents in the running for the election of the Prime Minister on Tuesday next week.â
Pohiva said he had approached Siaosi Sovaleni and Sosefo Feâao Vakata about supporting the democrats, but they had not yet responded.
âI met with Siaosi and Feâao and I just asked them to tell me whatever ministerial posts they wanted so I can offer them,â Pohiva said.
âThey did not say anything so I gave Siaosi the Ministry of Communication and Feâao, the Internal Affairs, but they are yet to respond.â
When asked to give his take on what implication he could draw from Sovaleni and Vakataâs slowness in responding to his offer, Pohiva said he thought the duo wanted the two top offices of the Prime Minister and Deputy Minister.
âTo me personally I think it is fair enough for them if that is what they want because they have rights to those top posts,â he said.
âI have done my part and asked them what ministerial posts they wanted.â
The Democratic Leader said he had been confirmed as the partyâs candidate for the Prime Ministership at a meeting after the election.
He said he would announce his nomination for Deputy Prime Minister when they got the numbesr to form the government.
Pohiva said Faâotusia, Lavulavu, Sovaleni, Vakata and Piukala were the only independents the Party thought could be invited to join the party. The rest were likely to support the nobility.
The Democratic Party Members:
1. Samuela ʻAkilisi Pohiva
2. Semisi Lafu Sika
3. MÄteni Tapueluelu
4. Dr ʻAisake Valu Eke
5. Sione Vuna FÄÊ»otusia
6. ʻEtuate Sungalu Lavulavu
7. Saia Maʻu Piukala
8. Semisi Fakahau
9. Penisimani Fifita
10. Dr PÅhiva TuÊ»iÊ»onetoa
11. TÄvita Lavemaau
12. Veivosa Taka
The main points
- The Democrat Party has been seeking the support of newly elected independent MPs ahead of next Tuesdayâs vote for the Prime Ministership.
- Party leader âAkilisi Pohiva told Kaniva News this morning the party now had the support of 12 parliamentarians and was looking for support from two more independents.
- Pohiva said he had been confirmed as his partyâs candidate for Prime Minister at a meeting after the election.
- He said he would announce his nomination for Deputy Prime Minister when they got the number to form the government.
For more information
Tongan Parliament