Tonga's parliament elects new PM after predecessor resigned

Eke assumes office less than a year before island nation's next election.

20241224 tonga former prime minister

Tonga's former Prime Minister Siaosi 'Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni, pictured, resigned earlier this month after fraught relations between his government and Tonga's king led to a no-confidence motion being tabled against him in late November. © Reuters

PERTH, Australia (AP) -- Tonga's parliament elected Aisake Eke as the country's new prime minister on Tuesday in a special session of the house on Christmas Eve, after his predecessor quit earlier this month just ahead of a no-confidence vote by lawmakers.

Eke assumes office less than a year before the South Pacific island nation of 105,000 people is to hold its next election.

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