2023 Tuvaluan general election
General elections will be held in Tuvalu in 2023.[1]
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Background
The previous election, held in 2019, saw high turnover among the 16 members of parliament, seven of whom were first-term members. Several cabinet ministers lost their seats. There were two female candidates; one secured a seat.[2] In the vote for prime minister, held shortly after the election, parliament elected Kausea Natano, defeating the incumbent head of government Enele Sopoaga, who had served since 2013.[3][4] The defeat of Sopoaga, who was pro-Taiwan, sparked fears that the new prime minister would sever ties with Taipei in favour of China. Fellow Pacific island country, the Solomon Islands, had made the switch days before.[5] However, Prime Minister Natano later assured that Tuvalu would maintain its diplomatic ties and recognition of Taiwan.[3] Samuelu Teo, son of the country's first Governor-General Fiatau Penitala Teo, was elected parliament speaker.[4]
Electoral system
The 16 members of Parliament are elected in eight two-member constituencies using multiple non-transferable vote. As there are no formal political parties, all candidates run as independents.[6]
References
- "Elections: Tuvalu Parliament 2023". IFES Election Guide. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- "Tuvalu elections: large turnover for new parliament". Radio New Zealand. 10 September 2019. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
- "Election results". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
- "Kausea Natano new PM of Tuvalu; Sopoaga ousted". Radio New Zealand. 19 September 2019. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
- "Tuvalu parliament picks new PM in potential blow for Taiwan". Al Jazeera. 19 September 2019. Archived from the original on 26 May 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
- "Tuvalu: Palamene o Tuvalu (Parliament of Tuvalu)". Inter-Parliamentary Union. 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2019.