Negotiations between the independent bloc and the Democratic Party remain at stalemate after most independent MPs failed to turn up to a weekend meeting.
Saturday’s meeting between independents and Democrats was intended as a bid to discuss a coalition government by the people’s elected MPs.
The meeting was announced by the independents’ elected MPs’ spokesperson ‘Etuate Lavulavu last week.
Lavulavu told Matangi Tonga Online on December 11 the independents would meet with the Democrats on Saturday and the Nobles on Monday.
He said he anticipated that by Wednesday next week it should be clear which group they would align with.
However, only MP Samiu Vaipulu and Democrat Party Leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva turned up to the meeting.
Pohiva said they eventually had a short meeting, but he did not give the details of what he discussed with Hon Vaipulu.
He said they met after he found out the other independents would not make it to the meeting.
When Kaniva News asked Lavulavu this evening whether they still regarded themselves as independent MPs, with all the seven members elected as independents, Lavulavu agreed.
Lavulavu said Pohiva and Vaipulu were supposed to meet at 4pm and then with all 17 elected MPs.
Pohiva said he did not know why all seven independents did not turn up to the meeting.
Representatives
Pohiva said because of difficulties in organising further meetings, the two factions had agreed to each choose three or more representatives to represent them at a meeting this week.
When we asked Lavulavu whether the independents had selected representatives to meet with the Democratic Party he said MPs Vaipulu and Siaosi Sovaleni would deal with the issue.
When asked if it was true some of their independent MPs no longer stood by their group Lavulavu disagreed.
Prime Minister
Lavulavu said he wanted to correct information released by one of the local radio stations last week which said that he had given Pohiva a list that showed Samiu Vaipulu as the independents’ nomination for Prime Minister and Lord Nuku, from the nobility, as Deputy Prime Minister.
Pohiva said he had not been informed of Lavulavu’s claim, but confirmed that Vaipulu had told him he would be the independents’ nominee for the premiership.
Pohiva said the Democratic Party had yet to nominate its candidate for the position of Deputy Prime Minister.
Meanwhile Kalafi Moala, Publisher of the Taimi Network, was quoted by Radio New Zealand last week as saying that three of the nobles and four of the independents were ready to support the Democrats.
The main points
- Negotiations between the independent bloc and the Democratic Party remain at stalemate after most independent MPs failed to turn up to a weekend meeting.
- Saturday’s meeting between independents and Democrats was intended as a bid to discuss a coalition government by the people’s elected MPs.
- Only MP Samiu Vaipulu and Democrat Party Leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva turned up to the meeting.
- The two factions have agreed to each choose three or more representatives to represent them at a meeting this week.
