Tuvalu Tuvalu ( ) is an island country in the Polynesian subregion of Oceania in the Pacific Ocean, about midway between Hawaii and Australia. It lies east-northeast of the Santa Cruz Islands (which belong to the Solomon Islands), northeast of Van ...

elects a

legislature A legislature (, ) is a deliberative assembly with the legal authority to make laws for a political entity such as a country, nation or city on behalf of the people therein. They are often contrasted with the executive and judicial power ...

on a national level. The

Parliament of Tuvalu The Parliament of Tuvalu (called ''Fale i Fono'' in Tuvaluan language, Tuvaluan, or ''Palamene o Tuvalu'') is the unicameral parliament, unicameral national legislature of Tuvalu. The place at which the parliament sits is called the ''Vaiaku man ...

(''Palamene o Tuvalu'') has 16 members, elected for a four-year term in 8 double-seat

constituencies An electoral (congressional, legislative, etc.) district, sometimes called a constituency, riding, or ward, is a geographical portion of a political unit, such as a country, state or province, city, or administrative region, created to provi ...

. Tuvalu is a de facto

non-partisan democracy Nonpartisan democracy (also no-party democracy) is a system of representative government or organization such that universal and periodic elections take place without reference to political parties. Sometimes electioneering and even speaking ...

since it does not have

political parties A political party is an organization that coordinates candidates to compete in a particular area's elections. It is common for the members of a party to hold similar ideas about politics, and parties may promote specific ideological or p ...

. The political system is based on personal alliances and loyalties derived from clan and family connections. It does tend to have both a distinct government and a distinct opposition. The 16 members of the current parliament are elected from eight two-seat constituencies via

plurality block voting Plurality block voting is a type of block voting method for multi-winner elections. Each voter may cast as many votes as the number of seats to be filled. The candidates with the most votes are elected. The usual result when the candidates div ...

. Throughout the history of the parliament three women have been elected:

Naama Maheu Latasi Naama Maheu Latasi, Lady Latasi (died 16 March 2012) was a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu. She stood for election in the constituency of Nanumea in 1989 and was elected to the Parliament of Tuvalu. Lady Latasi served as Minist ...

, from 1989 to 1997;

Pelenike Isaia Pelenike Tekinene Isaia served in the Parliament of Tuvalu from 2011 to 2015. Before her election as an MP she worked for the Tuvalu Cooperative Society, as its branch manager in Nui. Her career in national politics began when she won the Aug ...

, from 2011 to 2015; and Dr

Puakena Boreham Puakena Boreham (born 18 December 1970) is an anaesthetist who became a Tuvaluan politician, when she was elected to represent Nui in the 2015 Tuvaluan general election. She was not re-elected in the 2024 Tuvaluan general election. Medical ...

from 2015 to 2024.

Parliament of Tuvalu (Palamene o Tuvalu)

During the time Tuvalu was a British dependency the parliament was called the House of the Assembly. Following independence in October 1978 the House of the Assembly was renamed the

(Palamene o Tuvalu). The '' Constitution of Tuvalu'' states that it "is the supreme law of Tuvalu" and that "all other laws shall be interpreted and applied subject to this Constitution"; it sets out the Principles of the Bill of Rights and the Protection of the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms. In 1986 the Constitution adopted upon independence was amended in order to give attention to Tuvaluan custom and tradition as well as the aspirations and values of the Tuvaluan people. The changes placed greater emphasis on Tuvaluan community values rather than Western concepts of individual entitlement. At the date of independence there were 12 members of the Parliament of Tuvalu. Amendments to the Electoral Provisions (Parliament) Act in 1999 & 2000 increased the membership of parliament to 15 MPs. The Electoral Provisions (Parliament) Amendment Act 2019 increased the number of elected representatives for the electorate of

Nukulaelae Nukulaelae is an atoll that is part of the nation of Tuvalu, and it has a population of 300 (2017 census). The largest settlement is Pepesala on Fangaua islet with a population of 341 people (2022 Census). It has the form of an oval and consist ...

to become 2 PMs. So that each of the 8 island electorates is represented by 2 MPs. The smallest island,

Niulakita Niulakita is the southernmost island of Tuvalu, and also the name of the only village on this island. Niulakita has a population of 36 (2022 Census). The residents of Niulakita have moved to the island from Niutao. Niulakita is represented in ...

, is represented in the parliament by the members of the constituency of

Niutao Niutao is a reef island in the northern part of Tuvalu. It is one of the nine districts (islands) of Tuvalu. It is also one of the three districts that consist of only one island — not counting the three islets inside the closed lagoon. Niuta ...

. A candidate for parliament must be a citizen of Tuvalu of a minimum age of 21 years. Voting in Tuvalu is not compulsory. At 18 years of age, Tuvaluans are eligible to be added to the electoral rolls. In August 2007 the Constitution was changed to increase the number of ministers from 5 to 7. Those members selected the

prime minister A prime minister or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. A prime minister is not the head of state, but r ...

and the Speaker of the parliament by secret ballot. The Ministers that form the Cabinet are appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister. The

Attorney-General In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general (: attorneys general) or attorney-general (AG or Atty.-Gen) is the main legal advisor to the government. In some jurisdictions, attorneys general also have executive responsibility for law enf ...

sits in parliament, but does not vote, as the parliamentary role of the Attorney-General is purely advisory.

Parties

Due to the small population size and scale of the 16 seat parliament, Tuvalu has no political parties, meaning that the political system in Tuvalu exhibits the traits of a

Non-partisan democracy Nonpartisan democracy (also no-party democracy) is a system of representative government or organization such that universal and periodic elections take place without reference to political parties. Sometimes electioneering and even speaking ...

1977 elections to the House of Assembly

During the time Tuvalu was a British dependency the parliament was called the House of the Assembly or ''Fale i Fono''. Following independence in October 1978 the House of the Assembly was renamed the

or ''Palamene o Tuvalu''. As a consequence of the

1974 Ellice Islands self-determination referendum A referendum on separating from the Gilbert Islands was held in the Ellice Islands (then administered together as the Gilbert and Ellice Islands) between July and September 1974.Dieter Nohlen, Florian Grotz & Christof Hartmann (2001) ''Elections ...

, separation occurred in two stages. The Tuvaluan Order 1975, which took effect on 1 October 1975, recognised Tuvalu as a separate British dependency with its own government. The second stage occurred on 1 January 1976 when separate administrations were created out of the civil service of the

Gilbert and Ellice Islands The Gilbert and Ellice Islands (GEIC as a colony) in the Pacific Ocean was part of the British Empire from 1892 to 1976. It was a British protectorate, protectorate from 1892 to 12 January 1916, and then a crown colony, colony until 1 January 1 ...

Colony. Elections to the House of Assembly of the British Colony of Tuvalu were held on 27 August 1977. The candidates for the position of chief minister were Toaripi Lauti from

Funafuti Funafuti is an atoll, comprising numerous islets, that serves as the capital of Tuvalu. As of the 2017 census, it has a population of 6,320 people. More people live in Funafuti than the rest of Tuvalu combined, with it containing approximately 6 ...

Henry Naisali Henry Faati Naisali (7 December 1928 – 20 October 2004) was a Tuvaluan politician who served as Deputy Prime Minister of Tuvalu (1985-1989), Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum (1988-1992) and Pro-Chancellor of The University of t ...

from

and Dr. Tomasi Puapua from

Vaitupu Vaitupu is the largest atoll of the nation of Tuvalu. It is located at 7.48 degrees south and 178.83 degrees east. There are 1,077 people (2022 Census) living on with the main village being Asau. History Discovery and settlement The exa ...

; however, Henry Naisali withdrew before the ballot leaving Toaripi Lauti to win by eight votes to four. Lauti was appointed as chief minister on 1 October 1977. The parliament was dissolved in July 1978 with the government of Toaripi Lauti continuing as a

caretaker government A caretaker government, also known as a caretaker regime, is a temporary ''ad hoc'' government that performs some governmental duties and functions in a country until a regular government is elected or formed. Depending on specific practice, it co ...

, until the 1981 elections were held.

1981 elections to the Parliament of Tuvalu

The first elections after independence will not held until 8 September 1981. 26 candidates contested the 12 seats. Dr. Tomasi Puapua, was elected as prime minister with a 7:5 majority over the group a members of parliament headed by former prime minister Toaripi Lauti.

1985 elections to the Parliament of Tuvalu

The general election was held on 12 September 1985, with nine members re-elected including prime minister Tomasi Puapua and

minister of finance A ministry of finance is a ministry or other government agency in charge of government finance, fiscal policy, and financial regulation. It is headed by a finance minister, an executive or cabinet position . A ministry of finance's portfolio ...

Henry Naisali. On 21 September, Tomasi Puapua was re-elected as prime minister; he subsequently appointed a five-member Cabinet. He remained PM until the 1989 general election.

1989 elections to the Parliament of Tuvalu

The general election was held on 26 March 1989.

was elected to represent the constituency of

Nanumea Nanumea is the northwesternmost atoll in the Polynesian nation of Tuvalu, a group of nine coral atolls and islands spread over about of the Pacific Ocean just south of the equator and west of the International Date Line. Nanumea is with a po ...

and was the first woman elected to the Parliament of Tuvalu. Puapua chose not the offer himself as a candidate for PM after the 1989 election.

Bikenibeu Paeniu Bikenibeu Paeniu, PC (born 10 May 1956) is a politician from Tuvalu. He represented the constituency of Nukulaelae in the Parliament of Tuvalu. He has served twice as the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, and now serving as Tuvaluan ambassador to Taiw ...

was subsequently elected as prime minister, with a five-member Cabinet formed on 16 October 1989. He remained PM until the 1993 general election.

1993 elections to the Parliament of Tuvalu

The general election was held on 2 September 1993. In the subsequent parliament the members were evenly split in their support of the incumbent prime minister

and the former prime minister Tomasi Puapua. As a consequence, the governor-general dissolved the parliament on 22 September and a further election took place on 25 November 1993. Tomasi Puapua chose not to offer himself as a candidate for PM. The subsequent parliament elected

Kamuta Latasi Sir Kamuta Latasi (born 4 September 1936) is a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu from Funafuti atoll. He was elected to the Parliament of Tuvalu in 1992. Latasi served as the 4th prime minister, and foreign minister, from 1993 ...

as prime minister on 10 December 1993, with a 7:5 majority over the group a members of parliament headed by former prime minister Bikenibeu Paeniu. The deputy prime minister was

Otinielu Tausi Otinielu Tauteleimalae Tausi is a politician from Tuvalu for the constituency of Nanumanga. He served as the speaker of the Parliament of Tuvalu from 2003 until 2006, then again from March 2014 onward, and has also been the deputy prime ministe ...

and Tomasi Puapua was appointed the speaker of the parliament. Kamuta Latasi was the prime minister until 17 December 1996. As the result of the vote on a

motion of no confidence A motion or vote of no confidence (or the inverse, a motion or vote of confidence) is a motion and corresponding vote thereon in a deliberative assembly (usually a legislative body) as to whether an officer (typically an executive) is deemed fi ...

Kamuta Latasi resigned and

was elected as prime minister for the second time on 23 December 1996. He remained as prime minister until the 1998 general elections.

1998 elections to the Parliament of Tuvalu

On 18 December 1997 the parliament was dissolved and the general election was held on 26 March 1998. During the election campaign, candidates from the incumbent government and the opposition traded allegations of sexual and financial misconduct. The result of the election was that 7 existing members were returned (including

and Tomasi Puapua); 2 members of previous parliaments were elected; and 3 new members were elected. Former prime minister Kamuta Latasi lost his seat. Bikenibeu Paeniu was re-elected prime minister on 8 April 1998; the deputy prime minister was Kokea Malua and

Tomu Sione Sir Tomu Malaefone Sione (17 November 1941 – April 2016) was a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu. He worked as a journalist from 1962 to 1968, and held the post of radio announcer in the Broadcasting and Information Department o ...

was appointed as Speaker of the parliament. Bikenibeu Paeniu remained as prime minister until he resigned following the vote on a

(7:4) on 14 April 1999. Ionatana Ionatana was then elected as prime minister on 27 April 1999. After the death of prime minister Ionatana on 8 December 2000, Lagitupu Tuilimu was acting prime minister from 8 December 2000 to 24 February 2001.

Faimalaga Luka Faimalaga Luka, OBE (15 April 1940 – 19 August 2005) was a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu. He represented the constituency of Nukufetau in the Parliament of Tuvalu. He served as Governor-General and the Prime Minister of Tuv ...

became the prime minister on 23 February 2001 and was sworn in the next day with a reshuffled cabinet. Luka's government lasted until December 2001, when he lost office as the consequence of a

. On 13 December 2001

Koloa Talake Koloa Fineaso Talake (7 June 1934 – 26 May 2008) was a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu. He represented the constituency of Vaitupu in the Parliament of Tuvalu from 1993. He served as Minister of Finance (1993-1996) and was ...

was appointed prime minister. Talake lost his seat in parliament at the 2002 general election.

2002 elections to the Parliament of Tuvalu

The general election was held on 25 July 2002. There were 5,188 registered voters with the turnout on election date being 80% of voters. 39 candidates competed for the 15 parliamentary seats (the parliament had been increased from 12 to 15 elected members in 2000). Six members of the former parliament lost their seats including prime minister

, 3 cabinet ministers and the Speaker,

. On 2 August 2002

Saufatu Sopoanga Saufatu Sopoanga (22 February 1952 – 15 December 2020) was a Tuvaluan politician who served as the eighth prime minister of Tuvalu from 2 August 2002 to 27 August 2004. He drew international attention for his speeches warning about the effec ...

, who had been

in the previous administration, was elected prime minister; winning the vote against Amasone Kilei (8:7). Saloa Tauia was appointed the speaker, although he died in February 2003. The Sopoanga government lost its majority in May 2003, following the results of the 2003 Nanumea by-election and the 2003 Niutao by-election. The opposition took legal action in an attempt to force Sopoanga to recall parliament. Sopoanga recalled parliament to meet in September, On 9 September Sopoanga arranged to appointed opposition MP

governor general Governor-general (plural governors-general), or governor general (plural governors general), is the title of an official, most prominently associated with the British Empire. In the context of the governors-general and former British colonies, ...

, depriving the opposition of its crucial one-seat majority and triggering the 2003 Nukufetau by-election. The winner of the October by-election,

Elisala Pita Elisala Pita (d. 22 August 2016) was a Tuvaluan politician. Pita "had a long and distinguished career with the Fisheries Department" in Tuvalu, "culminating in his being employed as a Fisheries Adviser with the USAID". For the latter position, h ...

, joined the government's benches, enabling it to survive into 2004. The Sopoanga government was eventually brought down by an eight-to-six

in August 2004. Two government members,

and

, crossed the floor to vote against Sopoanga. On 25 August 2004 Saufatu Sopoanga resigned as prime minister and member of parliament. A by-election was held on 7 October 2004 and Saufatu Sopoanga regained his seat.

Maatia Toafa Maatia Toafa (1 May 1954–13 November 2024) was a Tuvaluan politician, representing Nanumea, who served two non-consecutive terms as Prime Minister of Tuvalu. He first served as prime minister, and foreign minister, from 2004 to 2006, from th ...

was elected prime minister on 11 October 2004 with a vote of 8:7; and Saufatu Sopoanga became deputy prime minister and minister for works, transport and communication. Maatia Toafa remained PM until the 2006 general election.

2006 elections to the Parliament of Tuvalu

The general election was held on 3 August 2006. There were 5,765 eligible voters on the electoral roll. 32 candidates, including 2 women, competed for the 15 seats.

was re-elected to his seat in parliament; however all his cabinet members were defeated. Eight new members were elected to the parliament. On 14 August 2006 Apisai Ielemia was elected as prime minister; and

was appointed the speaker of the parliament. Apisai Ielemia remained PM until the 2010 general election.

2010 elections to the Parliament of Tuvalu

Parliament was dissolved on 13 August 2010, and registration began on 28 August 2010. Twenty-six candidates, including all sitting members of parliament, stood for the fifteen seats in Parliament. There were 6,008 registered voters. Many candidates focused on climate change issues including

Enele Sopoaga Enele Sosene Sopoaga Privy Council of the United Kingdom, PC (born 10 February 1956) is a Tuvaluan diplomat and politician who was Prime Minister of Tuvalu from 2013 to 2019. Sopoaga was elected to Parliament of Tuvalu, Parliament in the 2010 T ...

, a former Tuvaluan ambassador to the United Nations and Tuvalu's representative at the UN Climate Change Conference held in Copenhagen in 2009."Elections à Tuvalu"
, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (French), 17 September 2010. Ten of the 15 members of parliament retained their seats including the speaker

, while the deputy prime minister

Tavau Teii Tavau Teii is a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu. Election After standing unsuccessfully for Parliament in the 2002 general election in the constituency of Niutao, Teii won a by-election on 5 May 2003 triggered by the death o ...

lost his seat. No women were elected in the general elections held in September 2010. In the by-election held in August 2011,

, the widow of

Isaia Italeli Isaia Italeli Taeia (1960s – 19/20 July 2011), more commonly known as Isaia Italeli, was a Tuvaluan politician. He was elected to Parliament as MP for Nui in the September 2010 general election, at which time his elder brother, Sir Iak ...

who died the previous month, was elected by the constituency of Nui. Pelenike Isaia becoming the second woman to enter the parliament.

Toafa ministry

Following the election

was elected as prime minister with the support of five new members of parliament and three members that had supported prime minister Apisai Ielemia. Maatia Toafa as supported by an (8:7) majority in the parliament. Isaia Taeia Italeli, the younger brother of the governor-general

Iakoba Italeli Sir Iakoba Taeia Italeli is a Tuvaluan politician who was the governor-general of Tuvalu from 16 April 2010, until 22 August 2019, when he resigned to contest in the 2019 general election. He was not successful in that election, however he w ...

, was appointed the Speaker of the parliament. On 15 December 2010, prime minister Maatia Toafa's government was ousted in a

vote of no confidence A motion or vote of no confidence (or the inverse, a motion or vote of confidence) is a motion and corresponding vote thereon in a deliberative assembly (usually a legislative body) as to whether an officer (typically an executive) is deemed fi ...

, which followed Willie Telavi withdrawing his support for the government. On 25 December 2010 Willy Telavi was elected prime minister with an (8:7) majority over

, was appointed Speaker. Lotoala Metia, the

, died on 21 December 2012."Tuvalu Minister dies in Suva"
, ''

Islands Business ''Islands Business'' is a "multimedia publishing company" established in the 1970s in Suva, Fiji. ABC Radio describes it as an "influential regional publication". With correspondents throughout Oceania, it describes itself as the "premier publi ...

'', 24 December 2012 The calling of a by-election was delayed until the High Court of Tuvalu ordered the prime minister to issue a notice to hold the by-election. The 2013 Nukufetau by-election was held on 28 June. The Nukufetau by-election was won by the opposition candidate

. A

constitutional crisis In political science, a constitutional crisis is a problem or conflict in the function of a government that the constitution, political constitution or other fundamental governing law is perceived to be unable to resolve. There are several variat ...

developed when prime minister Telavi responded that, under the Constitution of Tuvalu, he was only required to convene parliament once a year, and was thus under no obligation to summon it until December 2013. Tuvalu's opposition then requested the

governor-general Governor-general (plural governors-general), or governor general (plural governors general), is the title of an official, most prominently associated with the British Empire. In the context of the governors-general and former British colonies, ...

to intervene against the prime minister's decision. On 3 July, Italeli exercised his

reserve power In a parliamentary or semi-presidential system of government, a reserve power, also known as discretionary power, is a power that may be exercised by the head of state (or their representative) without the approval of another branch or part of th ...

s in ordering parliament to convene, against the prime minister's wishes, on 30 July. When the parliament met on 30 July, the speaker (

) refused to allow a debate on a no-confidence motion in the government of Willy Telavi.

Taom Tanukale Taom Tanukale is a Tuvaluan politician. He began his career in national politics when he was elected to Parliament in a by-election in May 2005, as MP for Nui, following the death of his predecessor, Amasone Kilei. He joined Prime Minister M ...

, the health minister, resigned from the parliament (and thus also from the government). This resignation appeared to be political manoeuvre as Willy Telavi responded by insisting that parliament should be suspended until a by-election was held and declined to call the by-election. In Tuvalu a by-election can only be called when requested by the prime Mmnister. The governor-general Iakoba Italeli then proceeded to exercise his reserve powers to order Mr Telavi's removal and the appointment of

as interim prime minister. The governor-general also ordered that parliament sit on Friday 2 August to allow a vote of no-confidence in Mr Telavi and his government. Telavi then proceeding to write to

Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 19268 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. ...

(as the head of state of Tuvalu) informing her that he was dismissing Mr Italeli from his position as governor-general.

Sopoaga ministry

On Sunday 4 August the parliament elected

as prime minister. Vete Sakaio was subsequently appointed deputy prime minister and minister for public utilities,

was appointed the minister of finance and economic development and

Taukelina Finikaso Taukelina Finikaso (born 10 January 1959) is a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu. At the 2006 Tuvaluan general election, 2006 general election, he was elected MP for his home constituency of Vaitupu. He was educated in Kiribati a ...

was appointed the foreign minister. As a consequence of the resignation of

, the Nui by-election was held on 10 September 2013. Leneuoti Maatusi was declared the winner, polling 297 of the 778 registered voters. Maatusi has been a civil servant and served as the secretary of the Nui Falekaupule. He beat Palemene Anelu, a recent graduate of the University of the South Pacific, who received 206 votes and

, the sitting member, whose resignation from parliament caused the by-election, who received 160 votes. The government of

had a majority of two going into the by-election. After the by-election Leneuoti Maatusi committed to support prime minister Enele Sopoaga. In December 2013 a vacancy for the constituency of Nanumaga was declared by the governor-general in accordance with Section 99 (2) of the Tuvalu Constitution following an assessment of Falesa Pitoi's health. The 2014 Nanumaga by-election occurred on 14 January. The candidates were Halo Tuavai, Otinielu Tauteleimalae Tausi and Pai Teatu.

was the successful candidate. Tausi has chosen to support prime minister Enele Sopoaga, which give the government a two-thirds majority of the members of parliament. On 3 March 2014 Tausi was elected as the speaker of the parliament. The 2014 Nanumea by-election was called following the resignation of Willy Telavi in August. The voting occurred on 19 September 2014. Mr Satini Tulaga Manuella was the successful candidate. The former University of the South Pacific senior accountant and president of the Tuvalu National Private Sector Organization (TNPSO) supported the government of Enele Sopoaga. In 2015 the parliament was dissolved with a general election set down for March 2015.

2015 elections to the Parliament of Tuvalu

The general election was held in

on 31 March 2015. The state of emergency created by

Cyclone Pam Severe Tropical Cyclone Pam was the second List of the most intense tropical cyclones, most intense tropical cyclone of the South Pacific Ocean in terms of sustained winds and is regarded as one of the worst natural disasters in the history of ...

resulted in the election being delayed twice. The election was originally scheduled for 19 March, then after Cyclone Pam caused damage to the islands, the election was rescheduled for 26 March. In the

Nukufetau Nukufetau is an atoll that is part of the nation of Tuvalu. The atoll was claimed by the US under the Guano Islands Act some time in the 19th century and was ceded in a treaty of friendship concluded in 1979 and coming into force in 1983. It h ...

electorate,

and

were not opposed by other candidates.

Namoliki Sualiki Namoliki Sualiki Neemia generally referred to as Namoliki Sualiki, is a Tuvaluan politician. Education and career as a teacher He obtained a Master of Education degree at James Cook University in Queensland, Australia, in 1994. His thesis, en ...

was not opposed in the

electorate. The other islands had contested ballots. The candidates in the constituencies of Niutao and Nui included former members of parliament. On Nui

and Leneuoti Matusi were not returned to parliament. The new members elected to represent Nui were Mackenzie Kiritome and Dr

, who is the third woman to be elected as an MP. On Niutao Vete Sakaio, the deputy-prime minister, was not elected and was succeeded by

Samuelu Teo Samuelu Penitala Teo (24 November 1957 – 13 November 2024) was a Tuvaluan politician. He was the son of Fiatau Penitala Teo who was appointed as the first Governor General of Tuvalu (1978–1986) following independence from Great Britain. ...

, who is a former MP. The election was a good result for the government of Enele Sopoaga. Enele Sopoaga was sworn in as prime minister and appointed the ministers to the cabinet on 10 April. Apisai Ielemia was elected to represent Vaitupu at the general election. On 5 October 2016 Chief Justice Sweeney of the High Court of Tuvalu declared that Ielemia's parliamentary seat was vacant as he was not qualified to be a member of parliament, as the consequence of the short time the opposition MP served time in jail following his conviction on 6 May 2016 in the Magistrate's Court of charges of abuse of office during the final year of his term as Prime Minister (August 2006 to September 2010). The by-election was won by pro-government candidate Isaia Vaipuna Taape. Taape was sworn in as a member of parliament for Vaitupu on Wednesday 16 August 2017. Sir

resigned as MP on 17 October 2018. A by-election was held on 20 November 2018, with Simon Kofe, a former senior magistrate, being elected.

2019 elections to the Parliament of Tuvalu

The 2019 general election was held on 9 September 2019. In the

electorate the caretaker prime minister,

, was returned to Parliament, however Satini Manuella,

and

, who were ministers, were not returned. Seven new members of Parliament were elected.

Natano Ministry

On 19 September, in a secret ballot, the members of parliament elected

Kausea Natano Kausea Natano (born 5 July 1957) is a politician who served as the Prime Minister of Tuvalu from 19 September 2019 to 26 February 2024. He represented Funafuti as a Member of Parliament. He was first elected in the 2002 Tuvaluan general electio ...

from

as prime minister with a 10-6 majority. Samuelu Teo was elected as

Speaker of the Parliament of Tuvalu The Speaker of the Parliament of Tuvalu is the Chairman, presiding officer of the Parliament of Tuvalu. The annual salary of the speaker is Australian dollar, AU$ 44,004 / US$ 28,900 per year. List of speakers References

{{Reflist Politi ...

. Following the death of Minute Alapati Taupo on 23 May 2022, Reverend Dr Kitiona Tausi was elected to represent Nanumaga in the by-election held on 15 July 2022. He was appointed

Deputy Prime Minister A deputy prime minister or vice prime minister is, in some countries, a Minister (government), government minister who can take the position of acting prime minister when the prime minister is temporarily absent. The position is often likened to th ...

& Minister for Fisheries and Trade to succeed Minute Alapati Taupo in those roles.

2024 elections to the Parliament of Tuvalu

Voting in the general election that was held on 26 January 2024 began at 8:00 local time ( UTC+12:00), and ended at 16:00. Six new MPs were elected to Tuvalu's 16-member parliament. Significant changes to the composition of the parliament include the incumbent Prime Minister

, as well as

the only female member of the legislaturenot retaining their seats. The former

Governor General Governor-general (plural governors-general), or governor general (plural governors general), is the title of an official, most prominently associated with the British Empire. In the context of the governors-general and former British colonies, ...

Sir Iakoba Italeli Taeia was elected as an MP and also

Feleti Teo Feleti Penitala Teo (born 9 October 1962) is a Tuvaluan people, Tuvaluan politician and lawyer who is serving as the 14th Prime Minister of Tuvalu, prime minister of Tuvalu since 2024. He was elected to the Parliament of Tuvalu in the 2024 Tuval ...

, who was the former Executive Director of the

Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US * Western, New York, a town in the US * Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia * Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia * Western world, countries tha ...

(WCPFC).

, the prime minister from 2013 to 2019, was re-elected in the

electorate. Former foreign minister

Simon Kofe Simon Kofe is a Tuvaluan politician. He was appointed as the Minister for Justice, Communication & Foreign Affairs, in the cabinet of Kausea Natano following the 2019 Tuvaluan general election. Early life He is the son of a Tuvaluan teacher at ...

retained his seat in the Funafuti electorate. No candidates contested the sitting MPs

Seve Paeniu Seve Paeniu (born 11 February 1965) is a Tuvaluan politician. Paeniu was elected to the Parliament of Tuvalu in the 2019 Tuvaluan general election to represent the Nukulaelae electorate. He was appointed as the Minister of Finance in the Nat ...

, who was the

finance minister A ministry of finance is a ministry or other government agency in charge of government finance, fiscal policy, and financial regulation. It is headed by a finance minister, an executive or cabinet position . A ministry of finance's portfoli ...

, and

in the electorate of

, so they were automatically returned to parliament.

was appointed as

on 26 February 2024, after he was elected unopposed by the parliament.

References

External links

"Tuvalu" at Adam Carr's Election Archive
{{Tuvalu topics *