Government and Politics of Tonga

Government Type

hereditary constitutional monarchy

Administrative Divisions

3 island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu, Vava'u

Legal System

based on English law

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Tonga; if a child is born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen of Tonga dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965) head of government: Acting Prime Minister Feleti SEVELE (since 11 February 2006); Deputy Prime Minister James C. COCKER (since January 2001) cabinet: Cabinet consists of 16 members, 12 appointed by the monarch for life; 4 appointed from among the elected members of the Legislative Assembly, including 2 each from the nobles and peoples representatives serving three year terms note: there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch, the cabinet, and two governors elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed for life by the monarch

Legislative Branch

unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (30 seats - 12 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, 9 for nobles selected by the country's 33 nobles, and 9 elected by popular vote; members serve three-year terms) elections: last held 21 March 2005 (next to be held in 2008) election results: Peoples Representatives: percent of vote - HRDMT 70%; seats - HRDMT 7, independents 2

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch); Court of Appeal (consists of the Privy Council with the addition of the chief justice of the Supreme Court)

Political Parties

there are no political parties

Head of State

George TUPOU V

Head of Government

Dr. Feleti SEVELE

Cabinet

abinet consists of 14 members, 10 appointed by the monarch for life; four appointed from among the elected members of the Legislative Assembly, including two each from the nobles’ and peoples’ representatives serving three-year terms

Elections

the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the monarch

Constitution

4 November 1875, revised 1 January 1967

Independence

4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 4 June (1970)

International Organization Participation

ACP, AsDB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Fekitamoeloa 'UTOIKAMANU chancery: 250 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022 telephone: [1] (917) 369-1025 FAX: [1] (917) 369-1024 consulate(s) general: San Francisco

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga

Capital City

Nuku'alofa

Location

21 08 S, 175 12 W

Time Difference

UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

composed of the words nuku, meaning "residence or abode," and alofa, meaning "love," to signify "abode of love"

U.S. Embassy Suva 158 Princes Road,Suva, Fiji (679) 331-4466 Emergency after-hours telephone: (679) 772-8049 Facsimile: (679) 330-2267

Military Branches

Tonga Defense Services (TDS): Land Force (Royal Guard), Maritime Force (includes Royal Marines, Air Wing)

Service Age and Obligation

16 years of age for voluntary enlistment (with parental consent); no conscription; the king retains the right to call up "all those capable of bearing arms" in wartime