Editing Politics of Tuvalu (section)

==Changes in government (2010-2019)==

===Election of the Maatia Toafa government in September 2010===

{{Main|Second Toafa Ministry}}

Approximately one and a half weeks after the 2010 general election, a secret ballot was held on 29 September 2010 to determine the country's next prime minister. The incumbent prime minister [[Apisai Ielemia]] was not returned to a second term. [[Maatia Toafa]] won the ballot with eight votes to seven and become Tuvalu's prime minister. Toafa narrowly defeated [[Kausea Natano]], who received the votes of seven MPs in the ballot. The election results were announced by governor-general [[Iakoba Italeli]] and Toafa took office the same day.<ref name="IPU10"/>

===Maatia Toafa government succeeded by the Willy Telavi government in December 2010===

{{Main|Telavi Ministry}}

On 24 December 2010, a [[motion of no confidence]] against [[Maatia Toafa]] was carried by eight votes to seven.<ref name="RNZI_57819">{{cite news |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=57819 |title=Nominations open for new Tuvalu PM |date=22 December 2010 |work=[[Radio New Zealand International]] |access-date=3 December 2011}}</ref> On 25 December 2010 [[Willy Telavi]] was elected prime minister with an (8:7) majority over [[Enele Sopoaga]].<ref name="IPU10"/><ref name="RNZI_57873">{{cite news |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=57873 |title=Willie Telavi the new prime minister in Tuvalu |date=24 December 2010 |work=[[Radio New Zealand International]] |access-date=3 December 2011}}</ref>

Minister of Works [[Isaia Italeli]] died suddenly in July 2011,<ref name="RNZI_61940">{{cite news |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=61940 |title=Samoa police rule out foul play in death of Tuvalu minister |date=21 July 2011 |work=[[Radio New Zealand International]] |access-date=3 November 2011}}</ref><ref name="ITI">{{cite web| title= State Funeral for the Minister of Natural Resources, Hon Isaia Taeia Italeli | publisher= Tuvalu Philatelic Bureau Newsletter (TPB: 01/2011) |date= 25 July 2011 |url= http://www.tuvaluislands.com/stamps/phil-bur/newsletter/TPB%20Newsletter%202011-01.pdf|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120501160553/http://www.tuvaluislands.com/stamps/phil-bur/newsletter/TPB%20Newsletter%202011-01.pdf|url-status= usurped|archive-date= 1 May 2012|access-date=20 November 2012}}</ref> which led to a [[2011 Nui by-election|by-election in the Nui constituency]] in the following month. The election was won by his widow, [[Pelenike Isaia]], who became only the second woman ever to have sat in the Tuvaluan parliament.<ref name="IPU10"/> The by-election was described as "pivotal", as Italeli's death had deprived Prime Minister [[Willy Telavi]] of his government's one seat majority in parliament. Pelenike Isaia's election restored it, strengthening the government.<ref>[http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2011-08-25/tuvalu-government-set-to-retain-power/208212 "Tuvalu PM to remain in power"], ABC Radio Australia (audio), 25 August 2011</ref>

===The dismissal of the government of Willy Telavi in August 2013===

See also; ''[[Tuvaluan constitutional crisis]]''

[[Lotoala Metia]], the [[Minister of Finance of Tuvalu|Minister of Finance]], died on 21 December 2012.<ref name="IB01013">{{cite web |last=Matau |first=Robert |work=Islands Business |title=Another by-election for Tuvalu soon? |date=January 2013 |url=http://www.islandsbusiness.com/2013/1/politics/another-by-election-for-tuvalu-soon/ |access-date=11 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502172649/http://islandsbusiness.com/2013/1/politics/another-by-election-for-tuvalu-soon/ |archive-date=2 May 2014}}</ref> 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.<ref name="AG131">{{cite web| work= PACLII |title= Attorney General, In re Application under Section 131(1) of the Constitution of Tuvalu [2014] TVHC 15; Civil Case 1.2013 (24 May 2013)|url= http://www.paclii.org/tv/cases/TVHC/2014/15.html| access-date=5 April 2015}}</ref><ref name="SPS">{{cite web|last=Matau|first=Robert|title=Tuvalu's high court orders by-election to be held|publisher=Island Business|date=June 2013|url=http://www.islandsbusiness.com/2013/6/politics/tuvalus-high-court-orders-by-election-to-be-held/|access-date=11 January 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053300/http://www.islandsbusiness.com/2013/6/politics/tuvalus-high-court-orders-by-election-to-be-held/|archive-date=21 September 2013}}</ref> The [[2013 Nukufetau by-election]] was held on 28 June.<ref name="candidates & date">[http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/1437/tuvalus-former-pm-sopoaga-has-another-shot/ "Tuvalu's former PM Sopoaga has another shot"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053304/http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/1437/tuvalus-former-pm-sopoaga-has-another-shot/ |date=21 September 2013 }}, ''[[Islands Business]]'', 10 June 2013</ref> The Nukufetau by-election was won by the opposition candidate [[Elisala Pita]].<ref>[http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/1636/tuvalus-opposition-waiting-to-hear-from-gg/ "Tuvalu's Opposition waiting to hear from GG"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108011424/http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/1636/tuvalus-opposition-waiting-to-hear-from-gg/ |date=8 January 2014 }}, ''[[Islands Business]]'', 1 July 2013</ref> A [[Tuvaluan constitutional crisis|constitutional crisis]] developed when prime minister Telavi responded that, under the Constitution, he was only required to convene parliament once a year, and was thus under no obligation to summon it until December 2013.<ref name="RNZI020713">{{cite web|title= Parliament needs one yearly meeting only says defiant Tuvalu PM| publisher=Radio New Zealand International|date =2 July 2013|url= http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=77230}}</ref>

Tuvalu's opposition then requested the [[Governor-General of Tuvalu|governor-general]] Sir [[Iakoba Italeli]] to intervene against the prime minister's decision.<ref name="RA020713">{{cite web| last =Coutts | first =Geraldine | work= Radio Australia |title= Tuvalu opposition demands parliament be allowed to sit after weekend by-election |date =2 July 2013|url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/tuvalu-opposition-demands-parliament-be-allowed-to-sit-after-weekend-byelection/1154762| access-date=19 July 2013}}</ref> On 3 July the governor-general exercised his [[reserve power]]s in ordering parliament to convene.<ref name="IB030713">{{cite web|last=Matau|first=Robert|title=Tuvalu's parliament convenes July 30|publisher=Island Business|date=3 July 2013|url=http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/1725/tuvalus-parliament-convenes-july-30/|access-date=11 August 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053503/http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/1725/tuvalus-parliament-convenes-july-30/|archive-date=21 September 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The parliament convened on 30 July 2013. In an attempt to avoid a [[vote of no confidence]], prime minister Willy Telavi tabled a motion to [[Dissolution of parliament|dissolve parliament]], but this was subsequently defeated by the opposition by 8 votes to 5.<ref name="IB300713">{{cite web| last =Matau| first =Robert| work =Islands Business| title =Tuvalu govt bombshells| date =30 July 2013| url =http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/2146/tuvalu-govt-bombshells/| access-date =11 August 2013| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140429162109/http://islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/2146/tuvalu-govt-bombshells/| archive-date =29 April 2014}}</ref> The same day [[Taom Tanukale]], the health minister, resigned from the parliament (and thus also from the government).<ref name="IB300713"/> His 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 minister.<ref name="RA310713">{{cite web| last = Cooney | first = Campbell | work= Australia News Network |title= Tuvalu speaker blocks no-confidence motion|date =31 July 2013|url= http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-31/tuvalu-speaker-blocks-no-confidence-motion/4856426| access-date=5 August 2013}}</ref>

The governor-general then proceeded to exercise his reserve powers to order Mr Telavi's removal and the appointment of [[Enele Sopoaga]] as interim prime minister.<ref name=IB010814>{{cite news| url=http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/2183/gg-appoints-sopoaga-as-tuvalus-caretaker-pm/| last=Matau| first=Robert| title=GG appoints Sopoaga as Tuvalu's caretaker PM| date=1 August 2013| newspaper=Island Business| access-date=8 August 2013| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010153108/http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/2183/gg-appoints-sopoaga-as-tuvalus-caretaker-pm/| archive-date=10 October 2014}}</ref><ref name="SMH020813">{{cite web| last=AFP| first=Report| work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |title= Dismissal crisis rocks Tuvalu|date =2 August 2013|url= http://www.smh.com.au/world/dismissal-crisis-rocks-tuvalu-20130802-2r54l.html#ixzz2b3BIryEF| access-date=5 August 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref name="RA010813">{{cite web| last = Cooney | first = Campbell | work= Australia News Network |title= Tuvalu government faces constitutional crisis|date =1 August 2013|url= http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-01/tuvalu-government-in-crisis/4859432| access-date=5 August 2013}}</ref> Telavi then proceeded to write to [[Queen Elizabeth II]] (as the head of state of Tuvalu) informing her that he was dismissing Mr Italeli from his position as governor-general.<ref name="SMH020813"/><ref name=ABC>{{cite news| url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-01/tuvalu-government-in-crisis/4859432| title=Tuvalu government faces constitutional crisis| date=1 August 2013| publisher=Australia Network News| access-date=8 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-06/tuvalu-new-pm-confident-of-winning-next-election/4869580| last=Cooney| first=Campbell| title=Confident Tuvalu PM voice for climate change| date=6 August 2013| publisher=ABC| access-date=8 August 2013}}</ref> The Queen gave no indication of her reaction to Telavi's letter, leaving Italeli's position secure.<ref name=ABC />

On Friday 2 August, Willy Tevali faced a motion of no confidence; the voting was eight for the motion, four against and one abstention - the speaker of parliament abstained from voting on the motion.<ref name="RA040813">{{cite web| last = Cooney | first = Campbell | work= Australia News Network |title=Tuvalu parliament elects new prime minister|date =4 August 2013|url= http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-02/an-tuvalu-parliament-votes-to-remove-pm-telavi/4861930| access-date=5 August 2013}}</ref>

=== The government of Enele Sopoaga 2013-2019 ===

{{Main|Sopoaga Ministry}}

On Sunday 4 August 2013 the parliament elected [[Enele Sopoaga]] as prime minister;<ref name="RA050813">{{cite web| last = Cooney | first = Campbell | work= Radio Australia |title= Sopoaga elected new PM in Tuvalu|date =5 August 2013|url= http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/sopoaga-elected-new-pm-in-tuvalu/1170994| access-date=5 August 2013}}</ref> and [[Vete Sakaio]] was subsequently appointed deputy prime minister and minister for public utilities, [[Maatia Toafa]] was appointed the minister of finance and economic development and [[Taukelina Finikaso]] was appointed the foreign minister.<ref name="IB050813">{{cite web| work =Islands Business| title =Enele Sopoaga Sworn-in Today as Tuvalu's New PM| date =5 August 2013| url =http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/2209/enele-sopoaga-sworn-in-today-as-tuvalus-new-pm/| access-date =5 August 2013| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054326/http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/2209/enele-sopoaga-sworn-in-today-as-tuvalus-new-pm/| archive-date =21 September 2013}}</ref>

The [[2013 Nui by-election]] was held on 10 September. [[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 [[Taom Tanukale]], the sitting member, whose resignation from parliament caused the by-election, who received 160 votes.<ref name="IB110913">{{cite web| work =Islands Business from Radio Tuvalu| title =New MP elected in Tuvalu| date =11 September 2013| url =http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/2822/new-mp-elected-in-tuvalu/| access-date =11 September 2013| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140405053943/http://islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/2822/new-mp-elected-in-tuvalu/| archive-date =5 April 2014}}</ref> The government of [[Enele Sopoaga]] had a majority of two going into the by-election.<ref name="RNZ110913">{{cite web| work= Radio New Zealand International |title= Tuvalu voters toss out cabinet minister who forced a by-election|date =11 September 2013|url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=79035 | access-date=13 September 2013}}</ref> After the by-election Leneuoti Maatusi committed to support prime minister Enele Sopoaga.<ref name="RNZI210913">{{cite web| work= Radio New Zealand International |title= New Tuvalu Govt to release road map for first 100 days in power|date =17 September 2013|url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=79181| access-date=21 September 2013}}</ref>

In December 2013, a vacancy for the constituency of Nanumaga was declared by the governor-general in accordance with Section 99 (2) of the Tuvaluan Constitution following an assessment of [[Falesa Pitoi]]'s health.<ref name="RNZI121213">{{cite web| work=Radio New Zealand International|title= Tuvalu to hold by-election in Nanumaga|date =11 December 2013 |url= http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=81232| access-date=12 December 2013}}</ref> The [[2014 Nanumaga by-election]] occurred on 14 January.<ref name="IB150114">{{cite web| last =Matau| first =Robert| work =Islands Business| title =New speaker for Tuvalu in the new year?| date =January 2014| url =http://www.islandsbusiness.com/2014/1/pacific-update/new-speaker-for-tuvalu-in-the-new-year/| access-date =15 January 2014| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140116075556/http://www.islandsbusiness.com/2014/1/pacific-update/new-speaker-for-tuvalu-in-the-new-year/| archive-date =16 January 2014}}</ref> The candidates were Halo Tuavai, Otinielu Tausi and Pai Teatu.<ref name="IB170114">{{cite web| work =Islands Business - From RNZI/ FENUI NEWS/PACNEWS| title =Tuvalu by-election sees former speaker win seat| date =17 January 2014| url =http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/4299/tuvalu-by-election-sees-former-speaker-win-seat/| access-date =17 January 2014| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140201163034/http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/4299/tuvalu-by-election-sees-former-speaker-win-seat/| archive-date =1 February 2014}}</ref> [[Otinielu Tausi]] was the successful candidate.<ref name="RNZ160114">{{cite web| work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |title= Tuvalu by-election sees former speaker win seat|date =16 January 2014|url= http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/233496/tuvalu-by-election-sees-former-speaker-win-seat| access-date=16 January 2014}}</ref> Tausi supported prime minister Enele Sopoaga, which gave the government a two-thirds majority of the members of parliament.<ref name="IB230114">{{cite web| work =Islands Business – From FENUI NEWS/PACNEWS| title =Former Tuvalu Speaker joins government| date =22 January 2014| url =http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/4347/former-tuvalu-speaker-joins-government/| access-date =23 January 2014| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140201200034/http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/4347/former-tuvalu-speaker-joins-government/| archive-date =1 February 2014}}</ref> On 3 March 2014 Tausi was elected as the [[List of Speakers of the Parliament of Tuvalu|speaker of the parliament]].<ref name="RNZ051314">{{cite web| work= Radio New Zealand International |title= Tuvalu PM says ousted speaker misinterpreted constitution |date =4 March 2014|url= http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/237913/tuvalu-pm-says-ousted-speaker-misinterpreted-constitution| access-date=8 March 2014}}</ref>

In 2015 the parliament was dissolved with a general [[2015 Tuvaluan general election|2015 general election]] set down for 19 March 2015.<ref name="RNZ0315">{{cite web| work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |title= Two unopposed seats for Tuvalu election|date =4 March 2015|url= http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/267784/two-unopposed-seats-for-tuvalu-election| access-date=7 March 2015}}</ref> Following the election Enele Sopoaga was sworn in as prime minister.<ref name="IPU25"/><ref name="FN4S0415"/><ref name="FN100415"/> The [[Sopoaga Ministry]] lasted until the 2019 general election; following which the [[Natano Ministry]] became the government.