New Prime Minister for Tonga

The Coat of Arms of Tonga

Tongan noble Lord Tu'ivakano was today officially declared prime minister designate, AFP reported from Nuku'Alofa.

It's been almost a month after the Pacific nation held its first vote for a popularly elected government.

Tu'ivakano won support from 14 of the 26 politicians in Tonga's new parliament, speaker Lord Tupou said, edging out his only rival for the post, veteran pro-democracy campaigner Akilisi Pohiva, who secured 12 votes.

The election hailed Tonga's transition from being one of the world's last remaining sovereign monarchies, where the king almost single-handedly ran the daily business of government, to a constitutional monarchy.

Under Tonga's new constitution, voters directly elected 17 seats in parliament, while nine spots were reserved for nobles, including Tu'ivakano.

In the horse-trading for power that followed the November 26 ballot, Tu'ivakano cobbled together a coalition of nobles and independents to defeat Pohiva, in a result likely to be seen as a victory for the old guard in Tonga, AFP reported.

The speaker announced the result on Radio Tonga after informing King George Tupou V of parliament's decision.