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Prime Minister of Tuvalu
Head of government of Tuvalu
Head of government of Tuvalu
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| post | Prime Minister |
| native_name | |
| body | Tuvalu |
| insignia | Coat of arms of Tuvalu.svg |
| insigniasize | 125px |
| insigniacaption | Coat of Arms of Tuvalu |
| flag | Flag of Tuvalu (state).svg |
| flagcaption | State Flag of Tuvalu |
| image | Feleti Teo 2024.jpg |
| incumbent | Feleti Teo |
| incumbentsince | 26 February 2024 |
| style | The Right Honourable |
| appointer | Elected by the members of the parliament |
| salary | AU$ 40,840/US$ 26,660 annually |
| termlength | While commanding the confidence of the majority of members of parliament. No term limits are imposed on the office. |
| formation | 1 October 1978 |
| inaugural | Toaripi Lauti |
The prime minister of Tuvalu is the country's head of government. According to Tuvalu's constitution, the prime minister must always be a member of the parliament and is elected by parliament in a secret ballot. Because there are no political parties in Tuvalu, any member of parliament can be nominated for the role.
Part V, section 62 of the Constitution of Tuvalu describes the vesting of the executive authority: :(1) The executive authority of Tuvalu is primarily vested in the Sovereign, and the Governor-General as the representative of the Sovereign. :(2) The executive authority so vested in the Sovereign shall be exercised in accordance with section 53 (performance of functions by the Head of State).
Following the parliamentary vote, the governor-general of Tuvalu is responsible for swearing in as the prime minister the person who commands the confidence of a majority of members of parliament.
Part V of the Constitution establishes the executive authority of Tuvalu and confirms that while the Prime Minister is the head of government, executive power is exercised by ministerial government, with Part V, section 67 to 69 establishing the role of the cabinet.
The office of prime minister was established when Tuvalu gained independence in 1978. However, the post is sometimes considered a continuation of the earlier office of chief minister, created in 1975. If the prime minister dies, as has happened on one occasion, the deputy prime minister becomes acting prime minister until a new one is elected by parliament. The prime minister can lose his office by resigning, being defeated in a motion of no confidence by parliament, or losing his seat in a parliamentary election.
Part V, Section 63 of the Constitution of Tuvalu establishes the office of Prime Minister. Under section 64, the Prime Minister is elected by the members of parliament, with sections 64 to 67 describing what happens if the office of the Prime Minister becomes vacant, the removal from office of an incapacitated Prime Minister, the process for the suspension of the Prime Minister, and the effect of removal or suspension of the Prime Minister.
Until the Second Toafa Ministry in 2010, the prime minister also had the role of foreign minister. Enele Sopoaga was the foreign minister in the short-lived Second Toafa Ministry. In subsequent ministries, foreign affairs was another minister's responsibility in the cabinet.
Several former prime ministers have been appointed the governor-general of Tuvalu.
Feleti Teo was appointed as prime minister on 26 February 2024, after he was elected unopposed by the parliament.
List of prime ministers
Toaripi Lauti was the Chief Minister of the Ellice Islands from 1975 to 1978 when Tuvalu became an independent country. He became the first Prime Minister of Tuvalu after that.
| No. | Portrait | Name | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Birth–Death) | Election | Term of office | Ministry | Governor-General | Monarch | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Sir Toaripi Lauti | ||||||||||||||||||
| (1928–2014) | Tomasi Puapua | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (born 1938) | Bikenibeu Paeniu | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (born 1956) | Sir Kamuta Latasi | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (born 1936) | Bikenibeu Paeniu | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (born 1956) | Ionatana Ionatana | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1938–2000) | Lagitupu Tuilimu | Faimalaga Luka | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1940–2005) | Koloa Talake | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1934–2008) | Saufatu Sopoanga | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1952–2020) | Maatia Toafa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1954–2024) | Apisai Ielemia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1955–2018) | Maatia Toafa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1954–2024) | Willy Telavi | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (born 1954) | Enele Sopoaga | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (born 1956) | Kausea Natano | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (born 1957) | Feleti Teo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (born 1962) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | [[File:Insigne Tuvalum.svg | 127x127px]] | 1977 | 1 October 1978 | 8 September 1981 | Lauti Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st Ministry | Sir Fiatau Penitala Teo | Queen Elizabeth II | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | [[File:Insigne Tuvalum.svg | 127x127px]] | 1981 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1985 | 8 September 1981 | 16 October 1989 | First Puapua Ministry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Second Puapua Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2nd Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sir Tupua Leupena | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | [[File:Bikenibeu Paeniu 2022.jpg | 133x133px]] | 1989 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1993 (Sep) | 16 October 1989 | 10 December 1993 | First Paeniu Ministry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3rd Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sir Toaripi Lauti | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sir Tomu Sione | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | [[File:Rt Hon Sir Kamuta Latasi (cropped).jpg | 124x124px]] | 1993 (Nov) | 10 December 1993 | 24 December 1996 | Latasi Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 4th Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sir Tulaga Manuella | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (3) | [[File:Bikenibeu Paeniu 2022.jpg | 133x133px]] | 1993 (Nov) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1998 | 24 December 1996 | 27 April 1999 | Second Paeniu Ministry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Third Paeniu Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5th Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sir Tomasi Puapua | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | [[File:Ionatana Ionatana.jpg | 130x130px]] | 1998 | 27 April 1999 | 8 December 2000 | Ionatana Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 6th Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Acting | [[File:Insigne Tuvalum.svg | 127x127px]] | — | 8 December 2000 | 24 February 2001 | Tuilimu Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 6th Ministry (Cont.) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | [[File:Faimalaga Luka 2003.jpg | 133x133px]] | 1998 | 24 February 2001 | 14 December 2001 | Luka Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 7th Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | [[File:Insigne Tuvalum.svg | 127x127px]] | 1998 | 14 December 2001 | 2 August 2002 | Talake Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 8th Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | [[File:Saufatu Sopoanga 2003 (cropped).jpg | 175x175px]] | 2002 | 2 August 2002 | 27 August 2004 | Sopoanga Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 9th Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Faimalaga Luka | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | [[File:Maatia Toafa.jpg | 116x116px]] | 2002 | 27 August 2004 | 14 August 2006 | First Toafa Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 10th Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sir Filoimea Telito | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | [[File:Apisai Ielemia cropped.jpg | 133x133px]] | 2006 | 14 August 2006 | 29 September 2010 | Ielemia Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 11th Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sir Kamuta Latasi | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sir Iakoba Italeli | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (9) | [[File:Maatia Toafa.jpg | 116x116px]] | 2010 | 29 September 2010 | 24 December 2010 | Second Toafa Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 12th Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | [[File:Willy Telavi.jpg | 101x101px]] | 2010 | 24 December 2010 | 1 August 2013 | Telavi Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 13th Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | [[File:Enele Sopoaga 2015.jpg | 139x139px]] | 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | 1 August 2013 | 19 September 2019 | Sopoaga Ministry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14th Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13 | [[File:Kausea Natano 2023.jpg | 123x123px]] | 2019 | 19 September 2019 | 26 February 2024 | Natano Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 15th Ministry | Mrs. Teniku Talesi, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samuelu Teo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14 | [[File:Feleti Teo 2024.jpg | 123x123px]] | 2024 | 26 February 2024 | Incumbent | Teo Ministry | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 16th Ministry | Sir Tofiga Vaevalu Falani | King Charles III |
Notes
- Tuilimu served as acting prime minister following the death of Ionatana.
- Sir Iakoba Italeli resigned as Governor-General on 22 August 2019 to contest a seat in parliament in the 2019 general election.
- Sir Tofiga Vaevalu Falani was appointed as Governor-General on 29 September 2021, during the term of prime minister Kausea Natano
- King Charles III acceded to the throne on 8 September 2022, during the term of prime minister Kausea Natano.
Timeline
ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:15 PlotArea = top:10 bottom:80 right:150 left:20 AlignBars = late
Define $today =
Colors = id:Ind value:gray(0.8) legend: None_(Independent)
id:liteline value:gray(0.8) id:line value:rgb(0.3,0.3,0.3)
id:gray1 value:gray(0.75) id:gray2 value:gray(0.90)
DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1978 till:31/12/ TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal ScaleMajor = gridcolor:gray1 unit:year increment:5 start:1980 ScaleMinor = gridcolor:gray2 unit:year increment:1 start:1978
Legend = columns:1 left:150 top:35 columnwidth:170
TextData = pos:(20,38) textcolor:black fontsize:M text:"Political party:"
BarData = bar:Lauti bar:Puapua bar:Paeniu bar:Latasi bar:Ionatana bar:Tuilimu bar:Luka bar:Talake bar:Sopoanga bar:Toafa bar:Ielemia bar:Telavi bar:Sopoaga bar:Natano bar:Teo
PlotData = width:6 align:left fontsize:9 shift:(5,-4) anchor:till
bar:Lauti from: 01/10/1978 till: 08/09/1981 color:Ind text:"Toaripi Lauti" bar:Puapua from: 08/09/1981 till: 16/10/1989 color:Ind text:"Tomasi Puapua" bar:Paeniu from: 16/10/1989 till: 10/12/1993 color:Ind from: 24/12/1996 till: 27/04/1999 color:Ind text:"Bikenibeu Paeniu" bar:Latasi from: 10/12/1993 till: 24/12/1996 color:Ind text:"Kamuta Latasi" bar:Ionatana from: 27/04/1999 till: 08/12/2000 color:Ind text:"Ionatana Ionatana" bar:Tuilimu from: 08/12/2000 till: 24/02/2001 color:Ind text:"Lagitupu Tuilimu (acting)" bar:Luka from: 24/02/2001 till: 14/12/2001 color:Ind text:"Faimalaga Luka" bar:Talake from: 14/12/2001 till: 02/08/2002 color:Ind text:"Koloa Talake" bar:Sopoanga from: 02/08/2002 till: 27/08/2004 color:Ind text:"Saufatu Sopoanga" bar:Toafa from: 27/08/2004 till: 14/08/2006 color:Ind from: 29/09/2010 till: 24/12/2010 color:Ind text:"Maatia Toafa" bar:Ielemia from: 14/08/2006 till: 29/09/2010 color:Ind text:"Apisai Ielemia" bar:Telavi from: 24/12/2010 till: 01/08/2013 color:Ind text:"Willy Telavi" bar:Sopoaga from: 01/08/2013 till: 19/09/2019 color:Ind text:"Enele Sopoaga" bar:Natano from: 19/09/2019 till: 26/02/2024 color:Ind text:"Kausea Natano" bar:Teo from: 26/02/2024 till: $today color:Ind text:"Feleti Teo"
References
References
- Tuvalu. "Prescription of Salaries (Amendment) Act 2020".
- (1 October 2023). "Constitution of Tuvalu". Government of Tuvalu.
- Needham, Kirsty. (26 February 2024). "Taiwan ally Tuvalu names Feleti Teo as new prime minister". Reuters.
- (2001). "Tuvalu: Year In Review 2001".
- (2015). "Political Handbook of the World 2015". CQ Press.
- Tahana, Jamie. (10 September 2019). "Tuvalu elections: large turnover for new parliament". [[Radio New Zealand]].
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