| Tuvalu |
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The Cabinet of Tuvalu is the executive branch of the government of Tuvalu.
It is drawn from, and responsible to, the legislative branch, the monocameral Fale i Fono. After every legislative election, Members of Parliament (MPs) elect one of their own as Prime Minister. The latter then chooses his ministers among the MPs, to form a Cabinet. (Officially, ministers are appointed by the monarch, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister.) Initially, the Constitution provided that the number of members of Cabinet (excluding the Prime Minister) must not be higher than one third of the number of Members of Parliament. This, however, was amended by the Constitution of Tuvalu (Amendment) Act 2007, which provides that up to half of the Members of Parliament may be appointed to Cabinet (in addition to the Prime Minister). There are currently 15 MPs.[1][2] [3]
As there are no political parties in Tuvalu, and MPs are independent members representing the interest of their constituency, the Prime Minister is traditionally careful to appoint MPs from different parts of the country as his Cabinet members.[4]
The Constitution states that the Cabinet is responsible to Parliament. The latter may dismiss it through a vote of no confidence.[5]
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In December 2010, Willy Telavi, Minister for Home Affairs in the Toafa Cabinet, crossed the floor, joined the Opposition and enabled it to bring down the government through a motion of no confidence, carrying it by eight votes to seven.[6] On 24 December, Telavi was elected to be the new Prime Minister, defeating Environment Minister Enele Sopoaga (who was supported by Maatia Toafa) by another 8-7 vote.[7]
Telavi appointed the following as his new Cabinet on that same day, Christmas Eve[8][9]:
| Portfolio | Minister | Constituency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister; Minister for Home Affairs |
Willy Telavi | Nanumea | |
| Minister for Communications, Transport and Public Utilities |
Kausea Natano | Funafuti | |
| Minister for Education, Youth and Sport |
Dr. Falesa Pitoi | Nanumaga | |
| Minister for the Environment, Foreign Affairs, Labour, Trade and Tourism |
Apisai Ielemia | Vaitupu | Former Prime Minister |
| Minister for Finance | Lotoala Metia | Nukufetau | |
| Minister for Health | Taom Tanukale | Nui | |
| Minister for Works and Natural Resources | Isaia Italeli | Nui | Died in July 2011. Successor to be announced. |
Isaia Italeli, Minister for Works and Natural Resources, died suddenly on 19 July 2011, while attending a regional meeting in Apia, Samoa.[10] His successor has yet to be appointed.
This short-lived Cabinet was appointed by Prime Minister Maatia Toafa on 29 September 2010, following the general election on 16 September. It included a number of first time MPs, who had supported Toafa in his bid for the premiership. Sopoaga's appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs was described as a clear sign of the importance the government placed on climate change issues within its foreign policy.[11][12]
| Portfolio | Minister | Constituency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister | Maatia Toafa | Nanumea | Was previously Prime Minister from 2004 to 2006 |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Environment and Labour |
Enele Sopoaga | Nukufetau | First time MP Diplomat; renowned as Tuvalu's "climate change negociator"; reportedly a "national hero"[13] |
| Minister of Education, Youth and Sport | Namoliki Sualiki | Nukulaelae | Former teacher |
| Minister of Finance | Monise Laafai | Nanumaga | First time MP Businessman |
| Minister of Health | Fauoa Maani | Niutao | First time MP Former journalist and clerk to Parliament |
| Minister of Works and Natural resources | Vete Sakaio | Niutao | First time MP Civil engineer |
| Minister of Communication, Transport and Fisheries | Taukelina Finikaso | Vaitupu | Former Minister of Communication, Transport and Tourism |
| Minister of Home Affairs | Willy Telavi | Nanumea | Former Minister of Home Affairs and Rural Development |
Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia (2006–2010) chose the following as his Cabinet[14]:
| Portfolio | Minister |
|---|---|
| Prime Minister; Minister for Labour |
Apisai Ielemia |
| Deputy Prime Minister; Minister for Natural Resources and the Environment |
Tavau Teii |
| Minister for Communications, Transport and Tourism |
Taukelina Finikaso |
| Minister for Education,Sports and Health | Iakoba Taeia Italeli |
| Minister for Finance and Economic Planning | Lotoala Metia |
| Minister for Home Affairs and Rural Development | Willy Telavi |
| Minister for Public Utilities and Industries | Kausea Natano |
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