By-election puts former Tuvalu PM back in parliament

11/10/2004 08:35:19 | ABC Radio Australia News

Tuvalu's Caretaker Prime Minister, Maatia Toafa, may be confirmed as Prime Minister later this week.

Sean Dorney reports that the Governor-General is expected to convene a session of the Parliament, now that it has its full membership again, following a by-election last week:

"In late August, the Opposition in Tuvalu succeeded in passing a motion of no-confidence in Prime Minister Safatu Sopoanga while one of the Government Members was in New Zealand receiving medical treatment. Under normal circumstances, the Parliament would have met again several days after that to vote in a new Prime Minister. However, Mr Sopoanga resigned his seat to buy the government more time. Under the Tuvalu Constitution, all 15 seats should be filled before the Parliament can vote on such important matters. Mr Sopoanga re-contested his seat and won the by-election last week. However, he's not expected to be seeking the Prime Ministership and the Caretaker Prime Minister, Maatia Toafa, is expected to be the Government's nominee when the Parliament reconvenes."