ʻAisake Valu Eke is a Tongan politician who served as prime minister of Tonga from January to December 2025.[1] He also served in the Cabinet as Minister for Finance and National Planning from 2014 to 2017.
Once elected,he told the press there was much to be done to improve the economy,and said the government should facilitate private sector activity.[5]
In October 2011,he was one of several MPs to protest against Parliament voting large allowances to any of its members on sick leave overseas. Stating that MPs should not be spending more public money on themselves at a time when the economy was weak,he was one of eight MPs to vote against the increased allowances (along with ʻAkilisi Pohiva,Semisi Sika,Sitiveni Halapua,Sangster Saulala,Sione Taione,Falisi Tupou and Moʻale Finau,all members of the Democratic Party). The motion was adopted by twelve votes to eight.[6][7]
Finance Minister
In January 2014,Prime Minister Lord Tuʻivakano appointed him Minister of Finance,following the sacking of Lisiate ‘Akolo over a disagreement concerning the budget.[8] He subsequently kept that position in Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pohiva's government. In March 2017,however,he abstained during a parliamentary vote on a motion of no confidence against the government he was part of,and was compelled to resign.[9] He subsequently lost his seat at the 2017 election.
He was re-elected in the seat of Tongatapu 5 in the 2021 election.[10] In the aftermath of the election he was one of three candidates for Prime Minister,[11][12] but was ultimately defeated by Siaosi Sovaleni,who won the Premiership with 16 votes.[13][14] In May 2022 he was absolved of bribery by the Supreme Court.
Prime Minister (2025)
On 24 December 2024,Eke was elected prime minister by the Legislative Assembly of Tonga,defeating Viliami Latu by 16 votes to eight.[15][16] King Tupou VI formally appointed Eke as prime minister on 22 January 2025.[17] His cabinet was announced on 28 January and included four appointees to parliament,two of whom were women. The cabinet also included one noble,Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala,who became foreign minister.[18]
In February 2025 Eke announced that the previous government's decision to privatise Vavaʻu International Airport would be reversed.[19]
Eke was re-elected at the 2025 election,[20] and ran in the subsequent parliamentary election for prime minister,held on 15 December. He received 10 votes and was defeated by the parliamentary speaker,Fatafehi Fakafānua,who received 16.[21] Fakafānua succeeded Eke on 18 December.[22]
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