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Tonga’s Prime Minister Designate is expected to arrive in New Zealand this weekend to meet King Tupou VI for his appointment as Tonga’s new Prime Minister, according to reports.
The constitution stipulates that the king must appoint the Prime Minister elected by the majority of the Parliament.
Dr Eke was elected last month after the former Prime Minister Hon Hu’akavameiliku resigned ahead of his vote of no-confidence motion.
According to Radio New Zealand Pacific, “King Tupou VI has asked Eke to meet him in New Zealand this weekend to receive royal approval for his appointment”.
It is understood that the king is currently in Auckland after departing Tonga last week for medical checkups.
“This is strange; I have never heard of a prime minister having to travel overseas to receive the King’s approval,” Veteran Tongan Journalist Kalafi Moala was reported by the radio as saying.
As Kaniva News reported, an unofficial preliminary list for the new Cabinet has emerged, revealing that three nobles have been nominated, while the remaining proposed ministers consist of Members of Parliament from the People’s bench.
Meanwhile, the public is left in the dark, with no clear information from the new government regarding the nominations for ministerial positions.
Kaniva News has contacted Hon Eke for comment.
