30 Aug 2017

Tonga's Pohiva ready to counter Speaker's allegations

10:15 am on 30 August 2017

The interim Prime Minister of Tonga is set to announce his next move this afternoon, just a few days after King Tupou VI dissolved parliament and called for elections by 16 November.

'Akilisi Pohiva

'Akilisi Pohiva Photo: AFP

'Akilisi Pohiva is hosting a press conference to respond to details of the reasons behind the dissolution.

The King's actions were sparked by an approach by the Speaker of the House, Lord Tu'ivakano, who claimed the Pohiva government had made a series of unconstitutional moves since coming into office in 2014 and was trying to concentrate power within it.

However, Mr Pohiva has said Tu'ivakano's actions and the subsequent dissolution were simply an attempt to remove him and has promised to continue his efforts to govern both before and after new elections, by standing again.

This afternoon the prime minister is expected to counter what he calls allegations and accusations from Tu'ivakano and to announce what his next move will be, including whether or not a judicial review into the dissolution of parliament will be sought.

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