Tonga's premier resigns ahead of no-confidence motion

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) - Tonga’s Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku, commonly known as Siaosi Sovaleni, resigned on Monday ahead of a no-trust motion to be tabled against him in the parliament, local media reported.

“I'll be resigning as prime minister of Tonga, in accordance with Clause 50A (2)(c) of the Constitution, effective immediately today,” Sovaleni announced during the parliamentary session, which was set to hold the no-trust motion against him, local English website Matangi Tonga Online reported.

“I thought this nation had been granted freedom but there is still restraint,” he said in an apparent reference to his tense relationship with the nation's monarch. He had apologized to King Tupou VI in March after a constitutional dispute.

The king has accepted the resignation, and the parliament would reconvene on Dec. 24 to consider nominations for a new prime minister, according to a statement from the parliament office.

Sovaleni will continue to serve as a member of parliament.​​​​​​​