King Tupou VI receives Tonga’s new Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni, after presenting the Royal Warrant of Appointment for the PM at the Royal Palace in Nuku’alofa on Tuesday 28 December 2021. Sovaleni was elected as PM by the new parliament, following Tonga’s November 18 general election. (Photo: Pesi Fonua / Matangi Tonga Online)

The recent decision by King Tupou VI to withdraw support for ministers holding two portfolios in the Tongan government has stirred criticism from advocates of democracy in the kingdom.

Reports indicate that Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni has resigned from his defense portfolio, and Foreign Affairs Minister Fekita ‘Utoikamanu is also stepping down, following a meeting with the King earlier this month.

Kalafi Moala, a longstanding proponent of democratic reforms in Tonga, condemned the King’s intervention, labeling it a regression to outdated practices.

“The reform in 2010 was that he [the King] would get out of trying to run the government or to appoint government,” Moala remarked. “And with this King, to me, this is a very very bad move, and there is a lot of public unhappiness about it.”

According to sources, Hu’akavameiliku has submitted a proposal to the King suggesting the appointment of Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala, currently a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as Minister of Defence and Foreign Affairs.

An official announcement is anticipated following a Privy Council meeting chaired by the King on Thursday.