ʻAisake Eke
ʻAisake Eke | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Eke in 2015 | |
| Prime Minister of Tonga | |
| Assumed office 22 January 2025 | |
| Monarch | Tupou VI |
| Preceded by | Samiu Vaipulu (acting) |
| Minister of Finance and National Planning | |
| Assumed office 28 January 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Tiofilusi Tiueti |
| In office 13 January 2014 – 6 March 2017 | |
| Prime Minister | Lord Tuʻivakano ʻAkilisi Pohiva |
| Preceded by | Lisiate ‘Akolo |
| Succeeded by | Tevita Lavemaau |
| Minister for Fisheries | |
| Assumed office 28 January 2025 | |
| Minister for Prisons | |
| Assumed office 28 January 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Samiu Vaipulu |
| Member of the Tongan Parliament for Tongatapu 5 | |
| Assumed office 18 November 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Losaline Maʻasi |
| In office 25 November 2010 – 16 November 2017 | |
| Preceded by | New constituency |
| Succeeded by | Losaline Maʻasi |
| Majority | 2.2% |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Tonga |
| Political party | Independent |
ʻAisake Valu Eke is a Tongan politician who has served as prime minister of Tonga since 22 January 2025.[1] He also served in the Cabinet as Minister for Finance and National Planning from 2014 to 2017.
Education
Eke received a degree in economics during the 1980s at the University of the South Pacific. He undertook his doctorate at the University of Southern Queensland in Australia, where he was awarded a PhD for his thesis "An exploratory study on the quality of service in the public sector in Tonga" completed in 2013.[2][3]
Member of Parliament
A former Secretary for Finance at the Ministry of Finance, he was first elected to the Legislative Assembly at the November 2010 general election as MP for Tongatapu 5. Though close to the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands, and despite having considered running as a party member, he stood as an independent, taking the seat with 24.1% of the vote and a 63-vote margin; Tongatapu 5 was thus the only constituency on Tongatapu (Tonga's main island) not to be won by the party.[4]
Once elected, he told the press there was much to be done to improve the economy, and said the government should facilitate private sector activity.[5]
In October 2011, he was one of several MPs to protest against Parliament voting large allowances to any of its members on sick leave overseas. Stating that MPs should not be spending more public money on themselves at a time when the economy was weak, he was one of eight MPs to vote against the increased allowances (along with ʻAkilisi Pohiva, Semisi Sika, Sitiveni Halapua, Sangster Saulala, Sione Taione, Falisi Tupou and Moʻale Finau, all members of the Democratic Party). The motion was adopted by twelve votes to eight.[6][7]
Finance Minister
In January 2014, Prime Minister Lord Tuʻivakano appointed him Minister of Finance, following the sacking of Lisiate ‘Akolo over a disagreement concerning the budget.[8] He subsequently kept that position in Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pohiva's government. In March 2017, however, he abstained during a parliamentary vote on a motion of no confidence against the government he was part of, and was compelled to resign.[9] He subsequently lost his seat at the 2017 election.
He was re-elected in the seat of Tongatapu 5 in the 2021 election.[10] In the aftermath of the election he was one of three candidates for Prime Minister,[11][12] but was ultimately defeated by Siaosi Sovaleni, who won the Premiership with 16 votes.[13][14] In May 2022 he was absolved of bribery by the Supreme Court.
Prime Minister
On 24 December 2024, Eke was elected prime minister by the Legislative Assembly of Tonga, defeating Viliami Latu by 16 votes to eight.[15][16] King Tupou VI formally appointed Eke as prime minister on 22 January 2025.[17] His cabinet was sworn in on 28 January and included four appointees to parliament, two of whom were women. The cabinet also included one noble, Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala, who became foreign minister.[18]
Honours
Order of Queen Sālote Tupou III, Commander (31 July 2008).[19]
References
- ^ "Tonga PM officially appointed". RNZ. 22 January 2025.
- ^ Eke, Aisake Valu (27 July 2013). "An exploratory study on the quality of service in the public sector in Tonga". eprints.usq.edu.au. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
- ^ Senituli, Lopeti (17 January 2025). "Who is Tonga's new prime minister?". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
- ^ "“Demo Party” win landslide victory in first democratic government", Taimi Media Network, 1 December 2010
- ^ "Grim economic times ahead for new gov’t", Taimi Media Network, 22 December 2010
- ^ "Tongan MPs help themselves to lavish medical leave", Matangi Tonga, 18 October 2011
- ^ "Tongan MP questions government’s new medical regulation", Radio New Zealand International, 19 October 2011
- ^ "‘Aisake Eke appointed new Tongan Finance Minister", Islands Business, 14 January 2014
- ^ "Tonga Finance Minister resigns". Radio New Zealand. 6 March 2017. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
- ^ "Tonga elects all-male parliament with nine new People's Reps". Matangi Tonga. 18 November 2021. Archived from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ "Tonga: Three contenders for prime minister's job". RNZ. 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
- ^ "ANALYSIS: Tonga in search for viable, credible PM; the best of best has yet to come". Kaniva Tonga. 6 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
- ^ "Emotional, Siaosi Sovaleni elected PM Designate". Matangi Tonga. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "MPs choose Siaosi Sovaleni as new prime minister". Kaniva Tonga. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "'Aisake Eke is Tonga's new prime minister". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
- ^ "Dr 'Aisake Eke, Tonga's new Prime Minister Designate". Matangi Tonga. 24 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Tonga PM officially appointed". Radio New Zealand. 22 January 2025. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
- ^ "Tonga PM 'Aisake Eke unveils new Cabinet: two women and one noble among the ministers". Radio New Zealand. 28 January 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
- ^ "Royal orders presented at Palace". Matangi Tonga. 1 August 2008. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
