Editing Politics of Tuvalu (section)

==Democratic values in Tuvalu==

{{see also|Elections and political parties in Tuvalu}}

===Democratic, non-partisan politics===

Democratic values in Tuvalu are strong with free [[election]]s every 4 years by universal adult [[suffrage]].<ref name="IPU25">{{cite web| work=Inter-Parliamentary Union|title=Palamene o Tuvalu (Parliament of Tuvalu) |date =13 April 2015|url= http://www.ipu.org/parline/reports/2327_E.htm| access-date=14 June 2015}}</ref> There are no formal political parties so all candidates are [[non-partisan]],<ref name="IPU81"/> and election campaigns are largely on the basis of personal/family ties and reputation.<ref name="IPU81"/> Tuvalu has "about 6,000 eligible voters" &ndash; a little over half the country's population.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130124231101/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g_vabC-tHeSX-muzn3TM9M3LhXRA "Tuvalu goes to the polls"], [[Agence France Presse]], 16 September 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201009/s3013957.htm "Tuvalu completes voting in national elections"], Radio Australia, 16 September 2010.</ref>

[[Member of Parliament|Members of parliament]] have very close ties to the island they represent. Often the northern islands in the country compete against the southern islands with the center holding the [[Balance of power (parliament)|balance of power]].<ref name="PPJF">{{cite web| last = Paulson Panapa & Jon Fraenkel| work= Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University |title= The Loneliness of the Pro-Government Backbencher and the Precariousness of Simple Majority Rule in Tuvalu|date = 2008|url= http://ips.cap.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/08_02.pdf| access-date=11 April 2015}}</ref> Traditional chiefs also still play a significant role in influencing island affairs, particularly on the outer islands. A long-held distinction between chiefs and commoners is slowly disappearing, and chiefs are now more often selected on merit rather than by birth.

''Te Kakeega II'' is the statement of the national strategy for the sustainable development of Tuvalu, with goals intended to be achieved in the period 2005 to 2015.<ref name="PIR">{{ cite journal|last= Taafaki|first= Tauaasa|title= Polynesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2006, Tuvalu|url= http://archives.pireport.org/archive/2007/March/tcp-tv.htm|year= 1992|volume= 19|issue= 1|journal= The Contemporary Pacific|pages= 276–286|doi= 10.1353/cp.2007.0036|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160303172349/http://archives.pireport.org/archive/2007/March/tcp-tv.htm|archive-date= 3 March 2016}}</ref><ref name=TKII>{{cite web|url= http://www.sprep.org/att/IRC/eCOPIES/Countries/Tuvalu/42.pdf |title=Te Kakeega II - National Strategies for Sustainable Development 2005-2015| year =2005|publisher= Government of Tuvalu |access-date= 14 October 2011}}</ref> After consultations on each islands the National Summit on Sustainable Development (NSSD), was held at the ''Tausoalima Falekaupule'' in Funafuti from 28 June to 9 July 2004.<ref>Tausoalima means "hand of friendship" and Falekaupule, means traditional island meeting hall.</ref> The meeting resulted in the ''Malefatuga'' Declaration,<ref>Malefatuga is the area bounded by the Funafuti lagoon foreshore and the Fetu Ao Lima Church ("Morning Star"), where the Tausoalima is located. The old meaning of malefatuga is "challenge", the place where conflicts were resolved. Its modern usage is "place of identity and confidence, where good deeds are recorded".</ref> which is the foundation of ''Te Kakeega II''.<ref name=TKII/>

In November 2020  the name "Te Kakeega” was replaced by “Te Kete” which is the name of a domestic traditional basket woven from green or brown coconut leaves.<ref name="TK2020">{{cite web| last = Tausi | first = Kitiona | title = Minister Announces New Name For National Strategy For Sustainable Development|date=  30 November 2020|publisher= Tuvalu Paradise| url= https://tuvaluparadise.tv/2020/11/30/minister-announces-new-name-for-national-strategy-for-sustainable-development/| access-date=15 January 2021}}</ref> Symbolically, “Te Kete”  has biblical significance for [[Religion in Tuvalu|Tuvaluan Christian traditions]] by referencing to the basket or the cradle that saved the life of [[Moses]].<ref name="TK2020"/>

===Representation of women===

Throughout the history of the [[Parliament of Tuvalu]] three women have been elected: [[Naama Maheu Latasi]], from 1989 to 1997;<ref name="IPU89">{{cite web| work=Inter-Parliamentary Union|title=Palamene o Tuvalu (Parliament of Tuvalu) |year =1989|url= http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2327_89.htm| access-date=7 March 2013}}</ref> and [[Pelenike Isaia]] who was elected in [[2011 Nui by-election|a by-election in 2011]],<ref name="IPU10">{{cite web| work=Inter-Parliamentary Union|title=Palamene o Tuvalu (Parliament of Tuvalu) |year =2010|url= http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2327_E.htm| access-date=7 March 2013}}</ref> serving until the 2015 general election; and Dr [[Puakena Boreham]] was elected to represent Nui in the 2015 general election,<ref name="RNZ100415">{{cite web| work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |title= Cabinet position could await new Tuvalu MP|date =10 April 2015|url= http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/270875/cabinet-position-could-await-new-tuvalu-mp| access-date=10 April 2015}}</ref> serving until the 2024 general election.<ref name="RNZ-24-1-27">{{cite news| url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/507716/tuvalu-general-election-six-newcomers-in-parliament | title=Tuvalu general election: Six newcomers in parliament |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date= 29 January 2024 |access-date=29 January 2024}}</ref>

The under-representation of women in the Tuvalu parliament was discussed during a consultation entitled "Promoting Women in Decision Making" was held in [[Funafuti]] in May 2010. The outcome was a recommendation for the introduction of two new seats, to be reserved for women.<ref>[http://solomontimes.com/news.aspx?nwID=5173 "Women Need Support to Overcome Barriers Entering Parliament"], ''Solomon Times'', 11 May 2010</ref> The Tuvaluan Ministry for Home Affairs, which has responsibility for women's affairs, stated that steps would be taken to consider the recommendation.<ref>[http://www.forumsec.org/pages.cfm/newsroom/press-statements/2010/support-for-introducing-reserved-seats-into-tuvalu-parliament.html "Support for introducing reserved seats into Tuvalu Parliament"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926215747/http://www.forumsec.org/pages.cfm/newsroom/press-statements/2010/support-for-introducing-reserved-seats-into-tuvalu-parliament.html |date=26 September 2014 }}, [[Pacific Islands Forum]] Secretariat, 13 May 2010</ref>

===The frequent use of the motion of non-confidence in the prime minister===

Tuvalu does not face serious governance issues. The frequent use of the parliamentary [[motion of no confidence|vote of no confidence]], engendering many changes of government in relatively short periods, has sometimes been on issues which reflect on the relations between personalities rather than on pressing national issues.<ref name="PPJF"/><ref name="GH2006">{{cite web| last = Hassall | first = Graham | work= Democracy and Elections project, Governance Program, University of the South Pacific|title= The Tuvalu General Election 2006 |date = 2006|url= https://www.academia.edu/4352305| access-date=11 April 2015}}</ref> The apparent reasons for the resort to motions of no confidence in the prime minister in the period 1999 to 2004 were: the PM straying from policies supported by the majority caucus; claims that the PM was inefficient or ineffective; and accusations of corruption in making appointments.<ref name="PPJF"/>

During this period of time the terms of the prime minister were short. Bikenibeu Paeniu resigned as prime minister following the vote on a [[motion of no confidence]] on 27 April 1999. [[Ionatana Ionatana]] was elected as prime minister. 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]] became the prime minister on 24 February 2001 until he was replaced by [[Koloa Talake]] after a [[Motion of no confidence|vote of no confidence]] on 14 December 2001. Koloa Talake was appointed prime minister until he was voted out of office as a result of the vote at the [[2002 Tuvaluan general election]].

Following the elections held on 25 July 2002 six of the 15 members elected to parliament were serving for the first time. [[Saufatu Sopoanga]], a former [[civil service|civil servant]], became prime minister in August 2002.<ref name="IPU02">{{cite web| work=Inter-Parliamentary Union|title=Palamene o Tuvalu (Parliament of Tuvalu) |year =2002|url= http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2327_02.htm| access-date=7 March 2013}}</ref> It was expected that Tuvalu would have a period of political stability. However the Sopoanga government lost its majority in May 2003, following the results of the [[2003 Nanumea by-election]] and the [[2003 Niutao by-election]].<ref name="GH2006">{{cite web| last = Hassall | first = Graham | work= Democracy and Elections project, Governance Program, University of the South Pacific|title= The Tuvalu General Election 2006 |date = 2006|url= https://www.academia.edu/4352305| access-date=11 April 2015}}</ref> Amasone Kilei, the leader of the opposition, wrote to the governor-general on 10 May 2003 advising that he commanded the support of a majority of the members of parliament and they were ready to form a government. On 20 June 2003 Amasone Kilei commenced an action in the [[High Court of Tuvalu]] seeking order regarding the appointment of a speaker and the calling of parliament. As it happened, the governor-general had, on 19 June 2003, issued a notice for the meeting to elect a speaker. In June 2003 opposition MP [[Faimalaga Luka]] became speaker of parliament.<ref name="RNZI_5191">{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=5191 |title=Tuvalu has new speaker |date=24 June 2003 |work=[[Radio New Zealand International]] |access-date=30 September 2011}}</ref> However parliament was not called. On 6 August 2003 the High Court declined to make the declaration that the prime minister must resign; however the Chief Justice delivered directions as to how the governor-general should proceed to take any action he considers to be appropriate under Section 116(1), acting in his own deliberate judgment, rather than as advised by the cabinet.<ref name="AG2003">{{cite web| work= PACLII |title= Amasone v Attorney General [2003] TVHC 4; Case No 24 of 2003 (6 August 2003) |url= http://www.paclii.org/tv/cases/TVHC/2003/4.html | access-date=5 April 2015}}</ref> That is, the governor-general could consider whether it was appropriate to exercise his [[reserve powers]] in calling parliament.

On 9 September Sopoanga arranged to appointed opposition MP [[Faimalaga Luka]] as [[Governor General of Tuvalu|governor general]], 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]], joined the government's benches, enabling it to survive a while longer.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060510100356/http://www.tuvaluislands.com/news/archived/2003/2003-10-13.htm "New Member of Parliament in Tuvalu"]}}, Radio Australia, 13 October 2003</ref> The Sopoanga government was eventually brought down by an eight-to-six [[motion of no confidence]] in August 2004.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060510095708/http://www.tuvaluislands.com/news/archived/2004/2004-08-26.htm "Tuvalu PM loses vote of no-confidence"]}}, Agence France-Presse, 26 August 2004</ref> Saufatu Sopoanga resigned as prime minister and member of parliament on 25 August 2004.<ref name="IPU06">{{cite web| work=Inter-Parliamentary Union|title=Palamene o Tuvalu (Parliament of Tuvalu) |year =2006|url= http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2327_06.htm| access-date=7 March 2013}}</ref> Two government members, [[Elisala Pita]] and [[Otinielu Tausi]], crossed the floor to vote against Sopoanga.<ref name="PIR"/> The [[2004 Nukufetau by-election]] was held on 7 October and Saufatu Sopoanga regained his seat. [[Maatia Toafa]] was elected prime minister on 11 October 2004 with a vote of 8:7;<ref name="RNZ111004">{{cite web| work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |title= New Tuvalu leader seeks stability|date =11 October 2004|url= http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/151106/new-tuvalu-leader-seeks-stability| access-date=11 April 2015}}</ref> and Saufatu Sopoanga became deputy prime minister and minister for works transport and communication.<ref name="IPU06"/>

[[Apisai Ielemia]] became prime minister following the [[2006 Tuvaluan general election]] that was held on 3 August 2006.<ref name="TNTV1">{{cite web| work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |title= Tuvalu elects Apisai Ielemia as new prime minister|date =15 August 2006|url= http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/164041/tuvalu-elects-apisai-ielemia-as-new-prime-minister| access-date=11 April 2015}}</ref> Many of the incumbent government ministers under the previous government of [[Maatia Toafa]] lost their re-election bids for the Tuvaluan parliament. While Apisai Ielemia was re-elected as a member of parliament in the [[2010 Tuvaluan general election]], he was not re-elected as the prime minister.

These frequent motions of non-confidence and changes of prime minister have been described as having a number of possible explanations: a new generation of politicians who were less deferential to the prime minister as compared to the immediate post-independence parliaments; politicians who were more willing to engage in tactical voting; and competition for the portfolios that come with higher salaries compared to that of an ordinary MP.<ref name="PPJF"/><ref name="GH2006"/> The larger than usual turnover of MPs at the 2002 and 2006 elections may have indicated a reaction by the electorate to the frequent changes of PM.<ref name="PPJF"/>

There were three prime ministers in the period from 2010 to 2019.

{{Main|Prime Minister of Tuvalu}}