6 May 2012

Opposition urges king to intervene in crisis

2:40 pm on 6 May 2012

The opposition in Tonga is calling on the new king, Tupou the Sixth, to intervene in the country's worsening economic crisis.

Debt and inflation are mounting, exports are dwindling and unemployment is high.

Democratic Party leader Akilisi Pohiva says the government is floundering and the economy is going down the drain.

He says the king needs to demand action from the prime minister, Lord Tu'ivakano.

A vote of no-confidence in the government's handling of the economy is likely when Parliament resumes next month.