Claims that the Eke government intends to petition Parliament to overturn the 2010 reforms and reinstate the King’s former powers have been vehemently denied.
Minister for Customs and Revenue, Mateni Tapueluelu, dismissed the allegations, stating that he had not heard of any such proposal in Cabinet.
He told Setita Miller of RTTI that he was unaware of any Cabinet petition.
The Minister’s response is the latest development in the ongoing concerns pertaining to the democratic status in Tonga.
It follows Teisa Cokanasiga, the daughter of the late Tongan Defender of Democracy title holder, Akilisi Pohiva, who stated that the government must prioritize implementing further democratic reforms during last month’s national summit in Nuku’alofa.
The summit sought people’s feedback and proposals for the next 10-year government plan.
Cokanasiga told the meeting that Tonga could continue pursuing its development plans; however, at some point, these efforts would stall due to constitutional limitations—an argument advocated by her father.
While Tonga’s 2010 transition to democracy was a significant step toward political reform, it encountered serious structural and constitutional challenges.
The reforms initiated after King George V agreed to cede most of his executive powers to create a more representative government, with most parliamentary seats elected by the people.
However, the first democratically elected government under Prime Minister Lord Tuʻivakanō (2010–2014) quickly discovered flaws in the new system.
They hired constitutional lawyer Peter Pursglove, who criticized the reforms poorly implemented, leading to governance difficulties, including unclear separation of powers and legislative inefficiencies.
According to the Peter Pursglove report:
Tonga’s 2010 constitution does not uphold democracy
The Privy Council lacks any democratic composition or accountability
The judiciary lacks accountability and transparency.
Changes to the judiciary are inefficient, ineffective, unaffordable and possibly illegal.
No public discussions were held regarding the reforms to the judiciary or why they were considered necessary.
“The present Constitution of Tonga can lay claim to being the most poorly structured and drafted Constitution of any Country in the Commonwealth,” the report says.
