Democratic Party gets the support of three independents

Tonga’s Democratic Party has obtained the support of three independents and Sione Vuna Fa’otusia has signed the party’s Memorandum of Understanding.

Democrat leader ‘Akilisi 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 Tuesday’s vote for the Prime Ministership.

Pohiva said Saia Piukala, Vuna Fa’otusia and ‘Etuate Lavulavu had agreed to support him and the Party.

Pohiva said Fa’otusia was a member of his Party, but had agreed to run as an independent. He said Fa’otusia signed their MOU last week.

If they gained control of the government, Fa’otusia had agreed to become Minister of Justice, ‘Etuate 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 party’s help in getting the number they needed to propose an independent MP as Prime Minister, Pohiva said: “There is no way they can do that.”

“We 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.”

Pohiva said he had approached Siaosi Sovaleni and Sosefo Fe’ao Vakata about supporting the democrats, but they had not yet responded.

“I met with Siaosi and Fe’ao and I just asked them to tell me whatever ministerial posts they wanted so I can offer them,” Pohiva said.

“They did not say anything so I gave Siaosi the Ministry of Communication and Fe’ao, the Internal Affairs, but they are yet to respond.”

When asked to give his take on what implication he could draw from Sovaleni and Vakata’s slowness in responding to his offer, Pohiva said he thought the duo wanted the two top offices of the Prime Minister and Deputy Minister.

“To me personally I think it is fair enough for them if that is what they want because they have rights to those top posts,” he said.

“I have done my part and asked them what ministerial posts they wanted.”

The Democratic Leader said he had been confirmed as the party’s 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 Fa’otusia, 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. Māteni Tapueluelu

4. Dr ʻAisake Valu Eke

5. Sione Vuna Fāʻotusia

6. ʻEtuate Sungalu Lavulavu

7. Saia Maʻu Piukala

8. Semisi Fakahau

9. Penisimani Fifita

10. Dr Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa

11. TÄ“vita Lavemaau

12. Veivosa Taka

The main points

• The Democrat Party has been seeking the support of newly elected independent MPs ahead of next Tuesday’s vote for the Prime Ministership.
• Party leader ‘Akilisi 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 party’s 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

Tongans dump half their MPSs (radio Australia)