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| Constitution |
Legislative |
Judiciary |
Elections
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 | Parts of this article (those related to the democratic reforms implemented in 2010) need to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(March 2012) |
Thepolitics of Tonga take place in a framework of aconstitutional monarchy, whereby theKing is the Head of State and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Tonga's Prime Minister is currently appointed by the King from among the members of Parliament after having won the support of a majority of its members. Executive power is vested in the Cabinet of Ministers.Legislative power is vested in the King in Parliament, and judicial power is vested in the supreme court.
Tonga joined theCommonwealth of Nations in 1970, and the United Nations in 1999. While exposed to colonial forces, Tonga has never lost indigenous governance, a fact that makes Tonga unique in the Pacific and boosts confidence in the monarchical system. The British High Commission in Tonga closed in March 2006.
Tonga's current king,Tupou VI, traces his line directly back through six generations of monarchs. The previous king,George Tupou V, born in 1946, continued to have ultimate control of the government until July 2008. At that point, concerns over financial irregularities andcalls for democracy led to his relinquishing most of his day-to-day powers over the government.[1]
| Office | Name | Party | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| King | Tupou VI | 18 March 2012 | |
| Prime Minister | Siaosi Sovaleni | Independent | 27 December 2021 |
Itsexecutive includes theprime minister and thecabinet, which becomes thePrivy Council when presided over by themonarch. In intervals between legislative sessions, the Privy Council makes ordinances, which becomelaw if confirmed by thelegislature. Themonarch is hereditary and appoints all members of the cabinet, including theprime minister and the deputy prime minister.
TheLegislative Assembly is composed of representatives from both the Nobles and the people. This composition is established by Article 59 of the Constitution as amended by the " Constitution of Tonga amendment Act 2010 "[2] Article 51 of the same Act allows the PM to nominate and the King to appoint up to 4 extra cabinet members from outside the Assembly.
The current composition is:
The electoral system was changed in April 2010, with 17 of 26 representatives now directly elected.[3]
Below is a list of recent or upcoming by-elections:
| Election | Date | Reason | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Tongatapu by-election | 5 May 2005 | Feleti Sevele's elevation to Cabinet | Clive Edwards |
| 2011 Tongatapu 9 by-election | 15 September 2011 | Death ofKaveinga Fa’anunu | Falisi Tupou (DPFI) |
| 2016 Vavaʻu 16 by-election | 14 July 2016 | ‘Etuate Lavulavu's election voided (bribery and campaign overspending) | 'Akosita Lavulavu |
| 2019 Tongatapu 1 by-election | 28 November 2019 | Death ofʻAkilisi Pōhiva | Siaosi Pohiva (DPFI) |
| 2022 Ha’apai 12 by-election | 1 September 2022 | Death ofViliami Hingano | Moʻale Finau |
| 2022 Tongatapu by-elections | 3 November 2022 | Unseating ofTatafu Moeaki,Poasi Tei, andSione Sangster Saulala | Mateni Tapueluelu (Tongatapu 4),Dulcie Tei (Tongatapu 6),Paula Piukala (Tongatapu 7) |
| 2023 Tongatapu 8 by-election | 19 January 2023 | Death ofSemisi Fakahau | Johnny Taione |
| 2023 Tongatapu 10 by-election | 13 July 2023 | Death ofPōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa | Kapelieli Militoni Lanumata |
| 2024 Vavaʻu 14 by-election | 28 March 2024 | Resignation ofSaia Piukala | Mo’ale ‘Otunuku |
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Tonga's court system consists of theCourt of Appeal (Privy Council), theSupreme Court, the Magistrates' Court, and the Land Court. Judges are appointed by the monarch.
The judiciary is headed by aChief Justice. The current Chief Justice isMichael Hargreaves Whitten.
Tonga is divided in three island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu, Vava'u. The only form of local government is through town and district officials who have been popularly elected since 1965. The town official represents the central government in the villages, the district official has authority over a group of villages.
| General elections | |
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| Local elections | |
