LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF TONGA
PRESS RELEASE
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ADJOURNS SITTING TO 3rd DECEMBER, WHEN A MOTION FOR A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN THE PRIME MINISTER WILL BE TABLED
The Legislative Assembly has passed a motion to postpone its sitting scheduled for today to Tuesday, 3rd December 2024, when a motion for a vote of no confidence against the Prime Minister, Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni, will be tabled in Parliament. It is envisioned that this postponement would allow sufficient time for the government to prepare its response and for the Office of the Legislative Assembly to thoroughly vet both the motion and the government’s reply to ensure compliance with the law.
Clause 50B(2)(a) of the Constitution, stipulates that a motion for a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister may not be moved unless at least five working days’ notice of the intention to move such a motion has been given to the Speaker.
The motion of no confidence was formally received by the Office of the Speaker on Saturday, 23rd November 2024 The counting of five working days for notice of intention commences today Monday, 25th November. Because Monday 2 December 2024 is a public holiday, the motion will be tabled on Tuesday, 3rd December 2024 in accordance with the Constitution and the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Assembly.
The Office of the Legislative Assembly is now thoroughly vetting the motion to ensure compliance with the law.
The Prime Minister has been given until midday Friday 29 November 2024 to submit to the Office of the Speaker their formal response to the motion.
Once the motion and the government's reply have been vetted, they will be distributed to all the Members of Legislative Assembly.
The Motion for a Vote of No Confidence, and the Prime Minister’s response, will be tabled in the Legislative Assembly of Tonga on Tuesday, 3rd of December,2024.
For more information, please contact the Office of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga.
Issued by the Chief Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
25 November, 2024.
Office of the Legislative Assembly, Nuku’alofa, Tonga