Akilisi Pohiva appointed as Prime Minister of Tonga

King Tupou VI has officially appointed 'Akilisi Pohiva as Prime Minister of Tonga.

Tonga's constitution states the King has to appoint the Prime Minister‑Designate for the election to come into effect.

Mr. Pohiva was re‑elected by the Legislative Assembly in a 14 to 12 vote following the snap election in November.

Mr. Pohiva served as Tonga's 16th Prime Minister from 2015‑2017 before the King dissolved Parliament following concerns about the government's conduct.

The long‑time democracy campaigner is Tonga's longest‑serving active Member of Parliament and first took a seat in 1987.

The Prime Minister is expected to formally announce his Cabinet line‑up in the coming week.

Source: Radio NZ